Home
Cables mirror and Afghan War Diary
Privacy
| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06BUDAPEST1009 |
HUNGARY'S PARLIAMENT: STRUCTURAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC [...] (U) Some three weeks since the second round of Hungary's national elections, Parliament convenes its first plenary session of the term on May 16. President Solyom has invited MSZP and SZDSZ to form the next government, while opposition FIDESZ and MDF remain divided. This session will likely [...] |
2006-05-15 12:32:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM SOCI PINR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1018 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: MDF STAYIN' ALIVE [...] (U) MDF's unexpected return to Parliament demonstrated that the right wing is too diverse to be represented by a monolithic party. MDF views itself as a "constructive" opposition party and sees its electoral success as a chance to breathe new life into the ranks. The party has said repeatedl [...] |
2006-05-15 15:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1024 |
HUNGARY: RESPONSE TO FOLLOW-UP DEMARCHE ON EU [...] (C) Poloff delivered reftel points and background to Erno Bohar, Director General of the MFA's Fifth Territorial District on May 15. Bohar told Poloff that the MFA does not plan to have a response until May 18. Post will report response septel. 2. (U) Visit Embassy Budapest's classified [...] |
2006-05-16 06:46:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EUN CE HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1127 |
HUNGARY: FINAL RESPONSE TO EU TAMIL TIGERS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-26 09:44:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EUN CE HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1161 |
HUNGARY: OFFICIAL MFA STATEMENT ON USG INITIATIVE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-01 13:18:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL IR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1175 |
HUNGARY: PM ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET (C-RE6-00145) [...] (U) On Friday, June 2 in Parliament, PM Gyurcsany announced his new cabinet, setting the stage for much-anticipated administrative and fiscal reforms. The number of ministers will slip from 17 to 12, with eight ministers from coalition leader Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), three from junio [...] |
2006-06-02 15:26:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM SOCI PINR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1201 |
GOH PRESENTS NEW PROGRAM: GRAND VISION, FEW [...] (U) At Parliament,s May 30 plenary session, PM-elect Ferenc Gyurcsany presented MPs and media with the new coalition program, entitled &New Hungary ) Freedom and Solidarity.8 The 85-page document is the fruit of weeks of negotiations between coalition partners MSZP and SZDSZ, and lays the gro [...] |
2006-06-08 13:34:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1490 |
HUNGARY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE FOR 61ST UN [...] (SBU) Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz will head the Hungarian delegation to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), addressing UNGA on September 25. Minister of Justice Jozsef Petretei will represent Hungary at the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development on September 14 and 15, a [...] |
2006-07-26 15:08:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1498 |
HUNGARY,S PARLIAMENT: THE FALL 2006 AGENDA [...] (U) The last plenary session of Parliament,s &extraordinary8 summer sitting, which began May 16, was July 24; now, the cabinet, the prime minister and Members of Parliament are already making preparations for the autumn session. While new items are certain to be added to the political agenda [...] |
2006-07-28 08:24:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1902 |
PM GYURCSANY ON CONTINUING PROTESTS [...] (C) Summary: Anti-government demonstrations continued in Budapest and elsewhere in Hungary September 19 - 20, with crowds estimated in excess of 10,000 gathering around parliament and isolated incidents of violence - driven by small numbers of vandals - occuring at sites including MSZP party [...] |
2006-09-20 16:48:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1913 |
DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE; DISTINCTIONS EMERGE [...] (SBU) Crowds estimated at 10,000 - 15,000 gathered at Parliament on the evening of September 20, but the authorities report fewer and less severe violent incidents overnight. Residents are adjusting to the evening demonstrations against the Gyurcsany government and accept the peaceful expressi [...] |
2006-09-21 15:05:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1929 |
BUDAPEST DEMONSTRATIONS: ENTER STAGE RIGHT [...] No summary [...] |
2006-09-22 16:10:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM ECON ASEC CASC HU |
| 06BUDAPEST1953 |
BUDAPEST DEMONSTRATIONS: FIDESZ OUT FOR A SPIN [...] (U) Addressing an "emergency session" of diplomatic and business community leaders at the Budapest Atlantic Forum September 26, former FM Janos Martonyi and MP Zsolt Nemeth presented FIDESZ's views on the demonstrations. 2. (SBU) Martonyi cast the "Gyurcsany tape" in the context of the go [...] |
2006-09-26 13:43:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2004 |
HUNGARY'S LOCAL ELECTIONS: OPPOSITION GAINS [...] (C) Summary: With voter turn-out at a record 53%, the opposition scored significant victories in local elections October 1, with FIDESZ-KDNP securing a majority in all but one of Hungary's 19 county assemblies and electing mayors in the majority of large cities throughout the country. The g [...] |
2006-10-03 15:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2005 |
RAISING THE STAKES: GYURCSANY GOVERNMENT TO CALL [...] (U) Following the opposition's strong showing in the local elections October 1 (septel), Prime Minister Gyurcsany has announced his intention to seek the first vote of confidence under the current constitution in a special session of Parliament on October 6. 2. (U) Alluding to President S [...] |
2006-10-03 16:17:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2026 |
THE LAND OF THE BLIND: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENTARY [...] (C) Rumors abound as the October 6 confidence vote in Prime Minister Gyurcsany approaches. Our sources understand that FIDESZ may be in possession of another tape of the PM and suspect they will time its release around the vote. Local political consultant Krisztian Szabados advises that FIDE [...] |
2006-10-06 13:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2027 |
HUNGARIAN STAND-OFF: DEMONSTRATIONS, CONFIDENCE [...] (SBU) Hungarian politics ventured further into the unknown as FIDESZ stood by its call for mass demonstrations in the absence of PM Gyurcsany's resignation or removal from office by October 6. 2. (SBU) Although FIDESZ had initially rejected participation in the Gyurcsany government's plann [...] |
2006-10-06 13:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2029 |
THE LAND OF THE BLIND: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENTARY [...] (C) Rumors abound as the October 6 confidence vote in Prime Minister Gyurcsany approaches. Our sources understand that FIDESZ may be in possession of another tape of the PM and suspect they will time its release around the vote. Local political consultant Krisztian Szabados advises that FIDE [...] |
2006-10-06 13:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2045 |
HUNGARIAN CONFIDENCE VOTE: GYURCSANY'S MAJORITY [...] (C) Summary: The Hungarian parliament affirmed its confidence in Prime Minister Gyurcsany by a 207 - 165 margin following short and often sharp debate in an extraordinary session October 6. Speakers from the governing coalition including the PM emphasized their willingness to confront a legac [...] |
2006-10-10 14:16:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2048 |
POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE: FIDESZ CALLS FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: Addressing the diplomatic community October 9, FIDESZ leader Viktor Orban underscored his demand for Prime Minister Gyurcsany's departure as "the only key to stability" in Hungary. The present government, he asserted, is "paralyzed" and lacks the political credibility to under [...] |
2006-10-11 05:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2065 |
THE RIGHT ON WHAT'S WRONG WITH ORBAN [...] (SBU) Ambassador Foley's dinner for visiting Hungarian-American Coalition President Maximilian Teleki highlighted questions, concerns, and criticism regarding FIDESZ leader Viktor Orban from traditional supporters. 2. (C) Center-right commentator Istvan Stumpf candidly noted that "Viktor [...] |
2006-10-12 12:24:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2105 |
RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST ANNOUNCEMENT [...] (U) Post provided reftel points to both MFA Director for International Organizations Laszlo Molnar and to the Americas Department. 2. (U) The GoH remains supportive of our position and issued a public statement in response to the North Korean announcement per our previous request. 3. [...] |
2006-10-17 14:39:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP PREL PARM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2111 |
ORBAN TELLS AMBASSADORS INSTABILITY IS "A RISK I'M [...] (C) FIDESZ leader Viktor Orban told G-7 Ambassadors October 12 that he believes Prime Minister Gyurcsany "can't survive" in the face of reduced real income stemming from higher inflation, increased popular discontent re austerity measures, and continued opposition from the right. Charging th [...] |
2006-10-18 09:05:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2161 |
LOST IN TRANSLATION: PM GYURCSANY'S MEETING WITH [...] (SBU) Prime Minister Gyurcsany met with the members of the U.S. delegation to the 50th anniversary commemorative events October 22. The delegation and Ambassador Foley underscored the USG's support for democratic reform and our confidence in Hungary's future per the Secretary's recent conver [...] |
2006-10-25 14:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2229 |
AD REFERENDUM: FIDESZ CHALLENGES THE GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary: With its call for a public referendum on seven questions revolving around the Gyurcsany government's reform package, FIDESZ has opened another front in its campaign against the Prime Minister. Consistent with Viktor Orban's recent statements emphasizing that "democracy - not the [...] |
2006-11-02 15:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2230 |
SURVIVOR HUNGARY: THE GYURCSANY GOVERNMENT'S [...] (S) Beset by continuing political attacks and public protests, the Gyurcsany government is circling its wagons as winter approaches. Although even the opposition concedes that crowds will fall as the temperature does, few doubt that they will return in force in the spring, when the full econo [...] |
2006-11-02 15:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2236 |
ON THE CONTRARY: FIDESZ OFFERS OPPOSITION WITHOUT [...] (C) Ambassador Foley's November 2 meeting with Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Zsolt Nemeth highlights the inability of FIDESZ to match its ideological zeal with a detailed policy agenda in the ongoing confrontation with the Gyurcsany government. Divide and Destroy ... 2. [...] |
2006-11-03 11:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2267 |
IMMEDIATE ACTION DEMARCHE ON AMENDING THE CUBA [...] (C) We provided reftel points to the MFA Americas Department and International Organization Department November 7, highlighting the importance of expeditious consideration in follow-up contacts with the Ministry. 2. (C) Our contacts were not aware of the Australian amendment and welcomed ne [...] |
2006-11-08 16:00:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL UNGA HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2269 |
HUNGARY'S PARTIES PREPARE FOR A WINTER OF [...] (S) Summary: Conflict between and within Hungary's political parties continues even as the likelihood of large-scale public demonstrations declines. In a meeting with the Ambassador November 7, opposition FIDESZ party leader Viktor Orban alleged that the Gyurcsany government is enforcing par [...] |
2006-11-09 08:41:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2278 |
SUPPORTING HUNGARY'S PRT WITH A FOREIGN SERVICE [...] EMBASSY BUDAPEST STRONGLY SUPPORTS EMBASSY KABUL'S CALL FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF A US OFFICER TO THE HUNGARIAN PRT IN POL-E-KHOMRI. 2. PROMOTING THE SUCCESS OF HUNGARY'S PRT IS AMONG OUR KEY BILATERAL PRIORITIES. TANGIBLE SUCCESS ON THE GROUND IN AFGHANISTAN WILL HELP US MAKE THE CASE FOR A [...] |
2006-11-09 15:24:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | APER HU AF |
| 06BUDAPEST2322 |
"NO ILLUSIONS" ON REFORM FROM FORMER PM HORN [...] (C) Meeting with Ambassador Foley November 16, former PM and MSZP MP Gyula Horn wasted no time in addressing the challenge of implementing the Gyurcsany government's convergence program. He asked us facetiously "not to say reform - because everyone will think we're talking about more cutback [...] |
2006-11-16 15:08:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2361 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE: BMENA FORUM FOR THE FUTURE [...] (U) Ambassador Foley spoke with FM Goncz November 24 regarding the upcoming BMENA Forum for the Future per reftel. 2. (U) The Foreign Minister noted that she is committed to host an upcoming high-level conference on the Balkans in coordination with the Project on Ethnic Relations and will [...] |
2006-11-24 14:40:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KMPI PREL |
| 06BUDAPEST2377 |
"DEMOCRACY WITHOUT COMPROMISE"; STRENGTH WITHOUT [...] (C) Summary: FIDESZ held its 21st party congress in Gyor November 25, introducing its new theme of "democracy without compromise," emphasizing its commitment to the politics of inclusion, and taking steps to tighten Viktor Orban's control over several newly-created local party fora. End Summa [...] |
2006-11-28 09:40:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2382 |
MSZP INSIDER'S OUTLOOK: LABOR MINISTER KISS ON [...] (C) Summary: Minister of Labor and Social Welfare (and MSZP Party Vice-President) Peter Kiss told Ambassador Foley November 27 that the government is "sentenced to success" on reform and will work in consultation with civic organizations and political opponents. Frequently mentioned as a succ [...] |
2006-11-28 12:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2383 |
HUNGARY PREPARES FOR THE NATO SUMMIT: TO RIGA ... [...] (C) Summary: As the GoH prepares for the NATO Summit, we are using quiet diplomatic contacts and aggressive public outreach to help shape their preparations. GoH officials recognize that Afghanistan will be the central focus at Riga and appreciate that NATO's efforts there represent an impor [...] |
2006-11-28 13:30:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR MOPS NATO PINS HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2419 |
ROUGH EDGES: FIDESZ MODERATE LOOKS TO HUNGARY'S [...] (C) FIDESZ moderate MP Lajos Kosa made his debut on the diplomatic circuit at a lunch hosted by Ambassador Foley for key colleagues November 29. A founding member of the party and the popular Mayor of Debrecen, Kosa's reputation for straight talk (and often off-color humor) have made him a l [...] |
2006-12-04 09:32:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2438 |
HUNGARY'S REACTION TO DEMARCHE ON PRESERVING THE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-06 11:17:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV PTER MOPS |
| 06BUDAPEST2439 |
HUNGARY ON CHINA ARMS EMBARGO [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-06 11:19:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL PGOV PHUM |
| 06BUDAPEST2462 |
MFA FULLY ENGAGED ON AFGHANISTAN [...] (C) MFA Assistant Secretary Varkonyi reviewed the state of play on Afghanistan, Cuba, and the Visa Waiver Program in an informal conversation with Ambassador Foley December 6. The MFA is increasingly taking on the leadership role in coordinating interagency efforts on the reconstruction and d [...] |
2006-12-11 14:18:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MOPS CVIS HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2489 |
FAMILY FEUD: COALITION DEADLOCKED IN BUDAPEST [...] (C) Ambassador Foley met with Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky December 6 as Demszky's SZDSZ party remained deadlocked with coalition partner MSZP over the appointment of the municipal leadership. The conflict comes as the coalition clings to a one-vote majority in the municipal assembly followi [...] |
2006-12-15 11:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2500 |
INSIDE LOOKING OUT: MAKING HUNGARIAN FOREIGN POLICY [...] (C) Summary: Hungarian foreign policy has remained a notable exception to partisan domestic disputes to date, but new individuals and new institutions are testing the waters in the policy process. Although EU membership allows the GoH to default to the consensus position on the many issues in [...] |
2006-12-18 17:11:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2505 |
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION: GOH CONSIDERS ITS NATIONAL [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador Foley December 13 before leaving on a brief trip to Afghanistan, ICDT Director Ambassador Istvan Gyarmati previewed potential changes in the GoH's foreign policy bureaucracy. A SHORT WINTER'S NAP 2. (C) Noting the tendency of the bureaucracy to "hiber [...] |
2006-12-19 15:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS HU |
| 06BUDAPEST2517 |
OUTGOING SZDSZ LEADER PREDICTS RENEWED PROTESTS, [...] (U) Outgoing SZDSZ party president Gabor Kuncze shared his thoughts on the future of his own party, the governing coalition, and the Gyurcsany government with Ambassador Foley at an ambassadors' lunch in his honor December 20. WHITHER THE SZDSZ ... OR IS THAT WITHER THE SZDSZ? 2. (C) Loo [...] |
2006-12-21 14:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU ECON |
| 06BUDAPEST2531 |
ANNO HORRIBILIS: HUNGARY ENDS 2006 WITH RELIEF BUT [...] (C) Summary: Winter has imposed a temporary cease-fire in Hungary's running political battles, allowing the parties to regroup in preparation for what all anticipate will be a busy year ahead. Prime Minister Gyurcsany is using the winter months to reach out to the opposition and to shore up h [...] |
2006-12-29 09:42:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 06BUDAPEST541 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: THAT'S ZALA, FOLKS [...] (U) On a March 9 trip to Nagykanizsa, Zala County, most contacts described the local mood as tenuous and uncertain. With the election one month away, Emboffs visited this small city of 60,000 to meet with a range of local figures: a business executive, a representative from the Roma minority [...] |
2006-03-14 16:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST543 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: SOMOGY COUNTY (C-RE6-00145) [...] (U) This cable continues Embassy's pre-election coverage from the provinces in the run-up to the April contest. On a March 10 trip to Kaposvar, Somogy County, local contacts described the city's electorate as inured to partisan politics and somewhat anxious about bread-and-butter issues such [...] |
2006-03-15 06:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST553 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: THE VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST [...] (C) Borsod-Abauj- Zemplen County in Hungary's northeast region is mostly rural, suffers from high unemployment and is a stronghold of the Reformed and Catholic Churches. Local observers believe that county voters will likely elect a majority of MSZP candidates to Parliament,although FIDESZ c [...] |
2006-03-16 15:39:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST569 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: MSZP MAY GAIN GROUND IN [...] (C) On March 14, SZDSZ and FIDESZ contacts in Veszprem County agreed that FIDESZ is losing its tight grip locally. Whereas in 2002, they enjoyed victories in six of the seven individual constituencies, their MSZP (Socialist) rivals may win as many as three this April, according to Veszprem's S [...] |
2006-03-21 15:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST570 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: FORMER FM SAYS FIDESZ WILL [...] (C) FIDESZ will win the elections, said Viktor Orban's former Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi on March 20, citing the FIDESZ victories in two local by-elections over the weekend. Martonyi said chilly FIDESZ relations with Washington will improve, because his party is "very committed to the tr [...] |
2006-03-21 15:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SOCI ECON PINR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST572 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: MSZP MAY GAIN GROUND IN [...] (C) On March 14, SZDSZ and FIDESZ contacts in Veszprem County agreed that FIDESZ is losing its tight grip locally. Whereas in 2002, they enjoyed victories in six of the seven individual constituencies, their MSZP (Socialist) rivals may win as many as three this April, according to Veszprem's S [...] |
2006-03-21 15:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST573 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: MSZP MAY GAIN GROUND IN [...] (C) On March 14, SZDSZ and FIDESZ contacts in Veszprem County agreed that FIDESZ is losing its tight grip locally. Whereas in 2002, they enjoyed victories in six of the seven individual constituencies, their MSZP (Socialist) rivals may win as many as three this April, according to Veszprem's [...] |
2006-03-21 15:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST629 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: SNAPSHOTS FROM WESTERN [...] (SBU) Contacts in Gyor, Sopron, Szombathely, Csorna, and Kormend predicted to Embassy representatives in March 21-24 meetings that opposition party FIDESZ would continue to dominate western Hungary in the April general elections. A majority of interlocutors believed that FIDESZ would again w [...] |
2006-03-28 16:47:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST644 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: THE VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST: [...] (U) MSZP is likely to gain seats from FIDESZ in Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg County. During a March 23-24 reporting trip to the area, most interlocutors predicted to poloffs that in addition to holding on to its two districts in the county seat of Nyiregyhaza, MSZP could win up to half the remaini [...] |
2006-03-29 14:37:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST656 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: THE VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST: [...] (U) Heves County is an MSZP stronghold. During a March 23-24 election reporting trip through the region, most interlocutors predicted that MSZP would win all six of the individual mandates in the county. Although the region is a traditional reservoir of strong Catholic sentiment, good relat [...] |
2006-03-30 15:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST658 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: DISPATCH FROM PECS [...] (U) This cable continues Embassy's pre-election coverage from the provinces in the run-up to the April contest. On a March 28-29 trip to the southwestern town of Pecs, Baranya County, local contacts described the city's electorate as inured to partisan politics and somewhat anxious about brea [...] |
2006-03-31 05:40:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PREL SOCI MARR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST698 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: PROMISING CAKE TO PENSIONERS [...] (U) This cable examines the likely role of pensioners in this spring's elections, and the issues most likely to unite them. Pensioners are a large and growing segment of Hungary's voting population. As elsewhere, they turn out at the polls more regularly than younger voters. Today's pension [...] |
2006-04-05 15:59:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST701 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: SNAPSHOT OF THREE INDIVIDUAL [...] (U) On April 9 and 23, 176 of the 386 members of Parliament will be elected in individual mandate races. This cable presents snapshots of three of those contests by way of illustrating the varying considerations that complicate efforts by observers to forecast the outcomes of any of many of th [...] |
2006-04-05 17:04:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR KDEM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST710 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: BALATON RESORT TOWNS POISED [...] (SBU) The FIDESZ campaign in the western resort towns of Keszthely and Heviz is tagging the MSZP for high unemployment and a sagging economy and hoping to use FIDESZ's improved organizational skills to get unhappy voters to the polls on April 9. A FIDESZ politician already in Parliament pegs h [...] |
2006-04-06 18:16:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR KDEM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST711 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: THE ROMA (C-RE6-00145) [...] (U) There are an estimated 600-800 thousand Roma in Hungary, yet most Hungarians do not view them as a viable political force. Disagreements among national leaders, social marginalization and poverty, "tribal" differences, and a tendency to focus on short-term, local issues, have resulted in [...] |
2006-04-06 18:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST718 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: DEBRECEN SNAPSHOT [...] (SBU) Conversations in Debrecen April 4 with governing MSZP, junior governing coalition SZDSZ, opposition FIDESZ, and a journalist suggested strongly that FIDESZ can be expected to sweep Hajdu-Bihar (eastern Hungary) County's nine individual mandate seats and turn in an equally strong party li [...] |
2006-04-07 13:56:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR KDEM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST722 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: ROUND ONE (C-RE6-00145) [...] (U) The first round of Hungary's two round system on April 9 will determine which parties will be represented in Parliament for the next four years. Currently, there are four parliamentary parties: the governing MSZP (Socialist) party, its junior coalition partner SZDSZ (the Free Democrats), [...] |
2006-04-07 18:17:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV HU |
| 06BUDAPEST733 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: PARSING ROUND ONE'S RESULTS [...] (SBU) Only the April 23 second round of Hungary's elections will establish who may form the country's next government, but the wind is with the governing coalition. That alone is a first for Hungary's post-1990 elections, but there were some other surprises: an unexpectedly robust turnout, an [...] |
2006-04-10 16:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV HU |
| 06BUDAPEST741 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: ANALYST SEES CHIEF OPPOSITION [...] (SBU) Policy research institute "Political Capital" Director Krisztian Szabados offered April 10 some thoughts on the April 9 first round of the elections and what they portend for round two on April 23: -- the three round-one winners were the governing MSZP with more absolute votes than FID [...] |
2006-04-11 10:13:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST748 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: SZDSZ BEATS EXPECTATIONS IN [...] (SBU) On April 9, the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) made a strong showing in the first round of Hungary's national elections, exceeding both current expectations and its 2002 performance. As a result, it appears poised to remain in government alongside its current partner, the Hu [...] |
2006-04-11 14:23:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM SOCI ECON PINR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST753 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: SNAPSHOT OF MDF'S UNEXPECTED [...] (U) Junior opposition party MDF's capture of 5.04 percent of the county list vote in the April 9 first round of the election, surprised pundits, pollsters and even MDF insiders. With one week remaining before Hungary's elections, three public opinion research companies here predicted that MDF [...] |
2006-04-11 15:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST780 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: ENERGETIC CAMPAIGN, CLEAN [...] (U) Since 1990, international observers have deemed all of Hungary's elections free and fair. There is no basis for believing that outcome of the first round was affected by the alleged irregularities that have been reported in the course of the campaign. On April 10, one day after the first [...] |
2006-04-13 15:15:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV SOCI HU |
| 06BUDAPEST825 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: ROUND TWO SCENESETTER [...] (U) On Sunday, April 23, Hungary will conduct round two of its 2006 national elections. This cable reviews the electoral math and the U.S. interests involved. Following a strong performance in round one, the governing coalition parties MSZP and SZDSZ appear poised to carry the day, although [...] |
2006-04-21 12:44:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV HU |
| 06BUDAPEST842 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: PRELIMINARY SECOND ROUND [...] (C) The April 23 final round of the parliamentary elections returned the current MSZP-SZDSZ governing coalition to power with an enhanced majority. The Central Election Commission is expected to certify final returns the week of May 1, once absentee ballots are tabulated, then President Solyo [...] |
2006-04-24 12:34:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SOCI PINR HU |
| 06BUDAPEST908 |
HUNGARY'S ELECTIONS: PARLIAMENTARY SEAT [...] (U) The April 23 second-round elections increased the governing coalition's majority from 10 seats to 34 seats. The to-date breakdown of seats is as follows: (Coalition) (Other) MSZP 186 FIDESZ 164 SZDSZ 18 MDF 11 MSZP-SZDSZ 6 Independe [...] |
2006-05-03 13:43:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM SOCI PINR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST100 |
SPRING TRAINING: POLITICAL SEASON BEGINS WITH [...] (C) Summary: With Parliament preparing to reconvene and both Prime Minister Gyurcsany and FIDESZ leader Orban planning to give major addresses in the coming weeks, the political season is set to resume. Despite Orban's long absence (or perhaps because of it) FIDESZ has been making the most n [...] |
2007-01-23 16:33:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KDEM |
| 07BUDAPEST101 |
HUNGARIAN UPDATE FOR JANUARY 26 INFORMAL NATO [...] (C) USAID hosted a PRT for senior GoH interagency representatives in Budapest January 23. Post capitalized on the meeting to review reftel points with representatives from the MFA's Office of Security Policy, highlighting our commitment to provide significant new resources and our call on Al [...] |
2007-01-24 08:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | NATO PINS PREL MARR MOPS |
| 07BUDAPEST1043 |
HUNGARY AT THE ALL-STAR BREAK [...] (C) Our contacts across the political spectrum are looking forward to a long summer break following the conclusion of Parliament's spring session on June 25. 2007 has brought few breakthroughs thus far, and many foresee a "hot fall" after the slow summer "cucumber season." 2. (C) The gov [...] |
2007-06-27 09:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1051 |
THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS: ORBAN ON ENERGY SECURITY, [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para 10 for action request. 2. (C) An energetic and upbeat Viktor Orban met with Ambassador Foley June 27 to discuss energy security, the transatlantic relationship, and Cuba (domestic political issues septel). ENERGY SECURITY: SUPPORTING THE [...] |
2007-06-27 14:06:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1059 |
ORBAN ON ORBAN: FIDESZ PRESIDENT ON THE OPPOSITION'S LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY [...] (C) Meeting with Ambassador Foley June 27 to discuss energy security and the transatlantic relationship (septel), FIDESZ president Viktor Orban also reviewed his plans to "professionalize" the party leadership and his strategy for the months - and years - ahead. BUDAPEST UNDERGROUND 2. [...] |
2007-06-29 05:35:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU PINR |
| 07BUDAPEST1078 |
CUBA CONFERENCE DRAWS SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES [...] (SBU) The Cuba Conference planned by the GoH and hosted by the International Center on Democratic Transition (ICDT) June 26 - 29 received favorable press coverage and strong statements of support across Hungary's political spectrum. 2. (SBU) In addition to the formal schedule, which highl [...] |
2007-07-03 07:07:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1096 |
SCENE-SETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY FRIED'S VISIT [...] (U) Embassy Budapest warmly welcomes the visit of A/S Fried to Hungary. SUMMER OF NO LOVE LOST 2. (SBU) Your trip comes at the beginning of the summer "cucumber season," and an exhausted Gyurcsany government is taking a much-needed (if not particularly well-deserved) break after a year [...] |
2007-07-06 11:18:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1097 |
NEVER A BOAST OR A BRAG: WHAT WE (OVER)HEARD AT [...] (SBU) Post's commitment to active but non-partisan outreach was rewarded with a stellar turn-out by contacts across the political spectrum at the Fourth of July reception. 2. (SBU) Prime Minister Gyurcsany attended his first July 4th reception as PM, the latest signal of his desire to aff [...] |
2007-07-06 11:29:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EFIN ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST11 |
2006 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM: HUNGARY [...] (U) Hungarian authorities remain fully supportive of the GWOT, including through its deployment of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. The Hungarian government also supports USG initiatives against al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations both within its borders and abroad. Th [...] |
2007-01-04 14:59:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KPAO KHLS KCRM EFIN AEMR ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1114 |
DELIVERY OF NONPAPER FOR INFORMATION ON ENTITIES [...] No summary [...] |
2007-07-11 07:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | EFIN IR KNNP PARM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1140 |
HUNGARY MUST FIND ITS VOICE: ASSISTANT SECRETARY [...] (S) Summary: In an extensive one-on-one conversation with EUR Assistant Secretary Fried July 10, Prime Minister Gyurcsany recognized the strategic challenge posed by Russia, reaffirmed his commitment to playing a more active role to promote a common EU policy on Russia and energy security, and [...] |
2007-07-13 13:22:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL ECON ENRG RU HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1150 |
CONFIDENT VERES AGAINST OMV-MOL MERGER; BULLISH ON [...] (U) This message contains an action request. See paragraph 4. 2.(C) Summary: In a relaxed lunch meeting with Ambassador Foley, Finance Minister Janos Veres and State Secretary Almos Kovacs frankly discussed their desire to sidetrack the OMV/MOL merger and their interest in developing a sy [...] |
2007-07-16 12:10:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EFIN ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1157 |
HUNGARIAN FOREIGN POLICY UNDER FIRE [...] (U) Just over a year since the second Gyurcsany administration took office, parties, think tanks and the media are evaluating the performance of the government during a turbulent year that many say has changed the dynamics of politics more than any other since the system change. Although the [...] |
2007-07-17 12:47:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1158 |
NOT NO ... BUT NOT NOW: EMBASSY VIEWS RE REQUESTED [...] (S) Septel reports on the formal requests from GoH officials for meetings between POTUS and PM Gyurcsany and between Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Goncz, which we understand have also been raised directly by the Hungarian Embassy in Washington. 2. (S) Post is mindful of the extraord [...] |
2007-07-17 12:48:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM OVIP HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1164 |
A/S FRIED'S DISCUSSIONS ON BILATERAL RELATIONS, [...] (C) Summary: In separate meetings with MFA State Secretaries Laszlo Varkonyi and Ivan Udvardi, Assistant SIPDIS Secretary Fried commended GoH activism on Cuba and called for SIPDIS similar leadership on issues including Russia and energy security. Varkonyi formally requested a meeting f [...] |
2007-07-18 09:38:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST117 |
BLOGGER-IN-CHIEF: HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER'S BLOG [...] (C) Post offers the following information, keyed to the questions posed in reftel: 2. (C) We see minimal policy impact to PM Gyurcsany's blog to date. It has not, for example, blunted criticism of the government's often opaque approach to reforms, and is more often a review of Gyurcsany' [...] |
2007-01-30 09:38:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR |
| 07BUDAPEST1178 |
MUTED HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN [...] (SBU) On 19 July POLOFF met with MFA Azerbaijan Desk Officer, Sandor Csikos, concerning reftel. POLOFF mentioned MFA State Secretary Dr Laszlo Szoke's recent discussions with the Ambassador expressing GOH interest in the subject. Csikos confirmed awareness of the challenges to media freedom in [...] |
2007-07-20 14:15:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM OSCE PGOV PHUM PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1179 |
HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON UPCOMING GAERC [...] (C) Hungarian preparations for the upcoming GAERC finds significant harmony with US positions on key issues. Kosovo remains in the Hungarian spotlight with concerns over possible impact on ethnic Hungarians in the Vojvodina with the inevitability of Kosovo's independence. Encouraging the EU to [...] |
2007-07-20 14:36:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | EUN ENRG ETRD ETTC KPAL PGOV PREL SOCI HU |
| 07BUDAPEST118 |
HUNGARY: NAMES OF INFLUENTIAL WOMEN [...] (U) Embassy Budapest recommends the inclusion of the following names in reftel contact list: Dr. Klara Dobrev: The wife of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, Dr. Dobrev has become an influential albeit informal advisor to her husband and an energetic spokesperson for his government. A lectur [...] |
2007-01-30 09:38:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PHUM PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1190 |
"AND PUTIN SMILED": HUNGARIAN READ-OUT ON THE [...] (S) Summary: Prime Minister Gyurcsany's Foreign and Security Policy Advisor, Karoly Banai, briefed Ambassador Foley on the July 19 Finno-Ugric Summit in Saransk, Russia, privately acknowledging the negative optics of the event but making every effort to downplay the discussion of political is [...] |
2007-07-24 08:23:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL ENRG KDEM PHUM RU HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1214 |
WITH ALL DELIBERATE SPEED: CABINET MINISTER KISS [...] (C) Summary: Cabinet Minister Kiss met with Ambassador Foley and DCM July 25 to review the state of playing on the government's reform agenda. Kiss embraced the challenge of improving dialogue on the issues, professing confidence in the recent coalition agreement and downplaying friction both [...] |
2007-07-27 09:49:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1238 |
ENTER STAGE LEFT: REFERENDUM OPENS THE DOOR FOR [...] (C) As the Constitutional Court conducts what may be the final review of questions formulated by the opposition to challenge elements of the Gyurcsany government's reform agenda, the upcoming referendum may increasingly present an opportunity for the PM's rivals within the MSZP to rationalize [...] |
2007-07-31 14:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1243 |
VISIT OF CHAIRMAN LANTOS TO HUNGARY, AUGUST 12-20, [...] (U) Embassy Budapest warmly welcomes the visit of Chairman Lantos to Hungary. SUMMER OF NO LOVE LOST 2. (SBU) Your trip comes as Hungarians takesa much-needed break after a year characterized by conflict over domestic politics and drift in foreign policy. 3. (SBU) Hungary is subjec [...] |
2007-08-01 12:14:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1298 |
KOKA ON REFORM, RUSSIA, AND VISION FR FUTURE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-09 12:47:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON HU EU RU |
| 07BUDAPEST130 |
HUNGARY REQUEST FOR USG OPINION ON SALE OF [...] (C) This is an action request. See paragraph 4. 2. (C) On January 31 Security Policy and Non-proliferation Department desk officer Zoltan Papp provided the following non-paper to poloff and requested our assistance regarding the sale and transfer of armor piercing anti-tank missiles to th [...] |
2007-01-31 15:42:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1341 |
FROM SIMONYI TO SOMOGYI: CHANGES AT THE HUNGARIAN [...] (U) In a brief meeting with Ambassador Foley August 15, Hungarian Ambassador-designate Ferenc Somogyi outlined his priorities for his upcoming tour. Visa Waiver: A Milestone ) Not a Finish Line 2. (C) Welcoming recent progress on the Visa Waiver front, Somogyi accentuated the positive w [...] |
2007-08-16 09:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM ENRG ECON |
| 07BUDAPEST135 |
BEST SERVED COLD: ORBAN ON REFORM, ENERGY [...] (C) Summary: As guest of honor at a dinner hosted by Ambassador Foley January 30, a charming and measured FIDESZ President Viktor Orban criticized the Gyurcsany government's implementation of its austerity package, questioned its commitment to reform, and called for EU action on energy secur [...] |
2007-02-01 13:39:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KDEM |
| 07BUDAPEST1350 |
HUNGARIAN FOREIGN POLICY DRIFTING TO THE EAST [...] SUMMARY: In over a month since PM Gyurcsany's pledge to demonstrate his commitment to the Transatlantic relationship, the GoH's actions continue to give us cause for concern regarding a drift to the east in its policy. Gyurcsany's recent travel to Russia and Ukraine -- in both cases featurin [...] |
2007-08-17 14:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | ENRG ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST136 |
PRT TRAINING ON TIME AND ON TARGET [...] (SBU) Nearly 50 Hungarian military and law enforcement officers, diplomats, and development experts attended a seminar on PRT operations January 22 - 23. The seminar, consisting of a detailed overview for senior officials in Budapest January 22 and an in-depth, interactive session at a Hunga [...] |
2007-02-01 14:22:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MOPS EAID ECON |
| 07BUDAPEST1369 |
HUNGARY CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL [...] (SBU) Deputy Chief of Mission and Russian counterpart Alexander Voznyuk met with MFA Director for Security and Non-Proliferation Vilmos Hamikus August 22 to review Hungary's participation in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. 2. (SBU) Hamikus confirmed the GoH's decision t [...] |
2007-08-24 06:14:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER MARR |
| 07BUDAPEST1376 |
SCENE-SETTER FOR THE VISIT OF CODEL SIRES TO [...] Embassy Budapest warmly welcomes the visit of Codel Sires to Hungary. 2. You will arrive as the body politic prepares for Parliament's return to formal session in mid-September. Most observers predict a busy ) and possibly hot ) fall, with continued friction between the Gyurcsany governme [...] |
2007-08-27 14:43:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM |
| 07BUDAPEST1377 |
SHADES OF ORANGE: DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITHIN [...] (C) Summary: FIDESZ Party Vice-Presidents Mihalj Varga and Zoltan Pokorni voiced sharply divergent views on issues ranging from the upcoming referendum to the party's leadership structure in separate meetings with Ambassador Foley. As Orban's deputy, Varga largely voiced the party line; Poko [...] |
2007-08-27 14:47:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1383 |
YOUTH MOVEMENT: THE PARTIES TARGET YOUNG VOTERS IN [...] (SBU) With the 2009 European Parliamentary elections fast approaching, Hungary's political parties are working hard to identify and mobilize potential supporters. GENERATION WHY? 2. (C) The parties are principally focusing on the same narrow band of young voters, with officials across t [...] |
2007-08-28 12:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1434 |
HUNGARIAN MFA PROVIDED NON-PAPER IN ADVANCE OF THE [...] (U) On 5 September 2007, post passed non-paper to Zsolt Pataki, Director, EU and Foreign and Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreigh Affairs, GOH. FOLEY [...] |
2007-09-05 12:08:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL |
| 07BUDAPEST1468 |
WAKE ME WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS: PARLIAMENT RETURNS [...] (C) Summary: The running debate over the Magyar Garda has generated more heat than light as Parliament prepares to return to session September 10 (ref a). This issue remains a potential flashpoint, but members on both sides of the aisle are pledging cooperation on key issues even as they expe [...] |
2007-09-09 08:04:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM ECON ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1474 |
"A STUPID ANSWER" ... AND A SMART STATEMENT: [...] (SBU) Addressing the diplomatic corps on September 6, FIDESZ leaders including party president Orban affirmed their commitment to "democratic and non-violent" opposition, specifically denouncing the Magyar Garda as "a stupid answer" and the radical right as a "danger to society." He declared [...] |
2007-09-10 12:21:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1486 |
SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES: PARLIAMENT - AND PROTESTORS [...] (SBU) The opening day of Parliament's fall session was marked by strong rhetorical exchanges between the parties and the return of demonstrators to the streets as a crowd estimated at over 1,000 gathered in front of the Parliament to protest government policy on the sale of public assets. P [...] |
2007-09-11 13:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1487 |
AN ISLAND OF CONSENSUS: CODEL SIRES FINDS STRONG [...] (SBU) Summary: Senior officials across Hungary's political spectrum pledged strong support for efforts to "bring democracy to Cuba and to bring Cuba to democracy" in meetings with Codel Sires August 29 ) 30. Members of the delegation encouraged Hungary to take an active role within the EU an [...] |
2007-09-11 14:20:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1534 |
HOMECOMING KING: PRESIDENT SARKOZY'S VISIT TO [...] (SBU) French President Sarkozy completed a brief but high-profile visit to Hungary September 14, including meetings with President Solyom, Prime Minister Gyurcsany, and opposition leader Orban as well as an address to the Hungarian Parliament. His meetings and public statements were highligh [...] |
2007-09-17 15:17:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM |
| 07BUDAPEST155 |
PAPER TIGER: GYURCSANY'S TREATISE ON REFORM [...] (U) As Hungary prepares for Parliament's opening session February 12, Prime Minister Gyurcsany released a 5-page supplement in the publication Nepszabadsag outlining the rationale behind his reforms. That outline was itself based on a dense 23-page document entitled "Facing the Facts: on mist [...] |
2007-02-06 12:10:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1570 |
U.S. PRIORITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES [...] (U) Post delivered reftel demarche to MFA Americas desk officer Andras Szorenyi and to Levente Szekely in the Ministry's Department for Policy Planning and Analysis September 20. 2. (U) Both emphasized the Foreign Minister's personal commitment to the Community of Democracies. Both under [...] |
2007-09-21 14:54:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PHUM PREL UNGA PGOV |
| 07BUDAPEST1579 |
THE RESIDUE OF DESIGN: FOREIGN VISITS, MUTED [...] (C) Confronting a week fraught with political risks during the anniversary of last year's demonstrations, the Gyurcsany government has rebounded strongly. 2. (C) This week's demonstrations have been non-violent, with attendance dwindling with each passing day. Demonstrators themselves hav [...] |
2007-09-24 14:35:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1580 |
FORWARD DEFENSE: HUNGARY CONSIDERS LEGISLATION TO [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para 9 for action request. 2. (SBU) Parliament is reportedly poised to adopt legislation that will provide added protection against the foreign takeover of strategic industries. THE MOL LAW 3. (SBU) Sources within the government and the op [...] |
2007-09-24 14:36:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1582 |
ALL THE PRIME MINISTER'S MEN: WHO'S WHERE ON [...] (SBU) As reform continues to dominate the political landscape, clearer divisions are emerging within the governing coalition and among the party leaders. 2. (C) Within the government, Prime Minister Gyurcsany remains most visibly associated with the package of reforms that commonly bear h [...] |
2007-09-24 15:46:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM PINR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST163 |
THE GREAT BARRIER BEEF: OPPOSITION MP'S "CIVIL [...] (C) Opposition leader Viktor Orban lead approximately 100 MPs from his own FIDESZ party and their Christian Democrat (KDNP) coalition partner in an attempt to dismantle a security fence around the Parliament building February 2. Proceeding en masse from an opposition caucus, the MPs succeeded in di [...] |
2007-02-08 07:07:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON HU KDEM ASEC |
| 07BUDAPEST1699 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. POSITION ON PROPOSED [...] (C) Discussing the reftel draft resolution, the MFA Security and Non-Proliferation Deputy Department Head, Gabor Horvath, stated the GOH will review any proposed EU position before establishing an official position. Horvath said that if a consensus EU position is put forward, Hungary would f [...] |
2007-10-11 13:08:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM MNUC UNGA HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1714 |
DEMARCHE ON IRAN IN ADVANCE OF THE OCTOBER 15-16 [...] (C) MFA EU and Foreign and Security Policy Department Head, Zsolt Pataki, provided Hungarian views on reftel demarche with Charge d'Affaires on 12 October. Pataki stated that the EU has already developed language agreeing to start discussions regarding additional sanctions related to Iran's n [...] |
2007-10-15 06:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1722 |
DASD CAGAN'S TALKS WITH THE HUNGARIANS [...] (C) Summary. DASD Cagan discussed the upcoming Iraqi Coalition Conference and the potential Hungarian Operational, Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) contribution to the Dutch PRT in meetings with senior Hungarian MOD, MFA and Parliamentary Defense Committee representatives. Stressing the imp [...] |
2007-10-15 10:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS PGOV PREL NATO NL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1723 |
GYURCSANY STAYING PUT AND GOING PUBLIC ON REFORM [...] (C) Summary: Anti-corruption efforts remain at center stage as the opposition has tabled an 8-point program in response to PM Gyurcsany's controversial proposal to "bleach the black economy." Coalition insiders report considerable discontent with PM Gyurcsany as the Zuschlag scandal (reftel) [...] |
2007-10-15 11:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1730 |
NIERENBERG ART RESTITUTION UPDATE [...] (U) Summary: In an October 3 meeting with Commission for Art Recovery lawyers Agnes Peresztegi (Amcit) and Tamas Vargas, little doubt remains that time is running out for action in the Nierenberg art restitution case. After nearly a decade of deliberations, this case is in the final stage of [...] |
2007-10-16 16:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST174 |
HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON ENSURING EFFECTIVE [...] (C) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz February 8 (other issues septel). Recently returned from a trip to the Middle East including stops in Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, Goncz described the situation as "heartbreaking," with the level of frustrati [...] |
2007-02-08 15:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP EFIN HU |
| 07BUDAPEST175 |
HUNGARIAN REACTION TO LETTER TO ENCOURAGE V-10 [...] (C) Post delivered reftel letter at the MFA on the margins of Ambassador Foley's meeting with Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz February 8. 2. (C) FM Goncz seconded Ambassador Foley's strong endorsement of the Ahtisaari plan, describing it as a "good basis for engagement." She emphasized the [...] |
2007-02-08 15:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV |
| 07BUDAPEST1756 |
FURIOUS MANEUVERING ON ANTI-CORRUPTION: PARTIES [...] (C) Summary: Prime Minister Gyurcsany has tabled a broad array of anti-corruption reforms before Parliament ... with the explicit threat of moving to a public referendum in the absence of their support. Despite continued complaints within his governing coalition that he is trying to divert a [...] |
2007-10-22 13:42:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1766 |
HUNGARY RECEIVES DEMARCH ON DESIGNATIONS OF [...] Embassy PolOff delivered reftel information to the MFA's Security and Non-Proliferation Department Head, Vilmos Hamikus, on October 25. Hamikus stated he will pass the information on to the Finance Ministry as well as ensuring the Trade Licensing Office receives the information. Hamikus not [...] |
2007-10-25 15:11:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP PREL PARM EFIN HU |
| 07BUDAPEST177 |
SCENE-SETTER FOR WHA P/DAS SHAPIRO'S VISIT TO [...] (C) Your visit coincides with the first parliamentary session of the year, which will likely bring renewed friction between the center-left coalition government of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and the opposition, led by former PM Viktor Orban. The running battle over the government's refo [...] |
2007-02-09 07:19:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1774 |
PRECEDENTED VIOLENCE: DEMONSTRATIONS RETURN ... [...] (C) Violence returned to the streets of Budapest as intermittent clashes broke out between the authorities and anti-government protestors October 22. The demonstrations were far less serious in duration and intensity than the protests of last fall and this spring ) due largely to a combinati [...] |
2007-10-26 15:59:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC |
| 07BUDAPEST1784 |
2 GUYS NAMED KAROLY: NEW FACES WIELD NEW INFLUENCE [...] (C) Both the government and the opposition are paying unaccustomed attention to the substance and the stylistics of foreign policy. This has been particularly evident in their realignment of personnel, with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and FIDESZ turning to two ironically similar staffer [...] |
2007-10-30 15:14:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1793 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE SUPPORTING ARGENTINA'S REQUEST [...] (S) LEGATT discussed subject with Lt Colonel Zoltan Dani, Chief, International Relations Department, Hungarian National Police on 31 October. Dani, commenting that Argentina Embassy representatives previously raised the subject with the National Police, stated Hungary will support the Argenti [...] |
2007-11-05 09:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | KJUS PTER ASEC PREL PGOV IR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1794 |
SMALL SACRIFICES: THE PLIGHT OF THE SMALL PARTIES [...] (C) Summary: As the MSzP and FIDESZ remained locked in their long-standing competition, the junior coalition partner SzDSz and independent opposition party MDF are searching for traction as all parties begin the long road to the 2010 elections. The SzDSz continues to lose altitude, and the MD [...] |
2007-11-05 09:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1795 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE SUPPORTING ARGENTINA'S REQUEST [...] (S) LEGATT discussed subject with Lt Colonel Zoltan Dani, Chief, International Relations Department, Hungarian National Police on 31 October. Dani, commenting that Argentina Embassy representatives previously raised the subject with the National Police, stated Hungary will support the Argenti [...] |
2007-11-05 09:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | KJUS PTER ASEC PREL PGOV IR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1818 |
STRESS FRACTURES: MP'S CROSS PARTY LINES ... AND [...] (SBU) A rare breakdown in party discipline occurred during Parliament's session on November 5, when MPs from the governing MSzP broke ranks to oppose a measure proposed by the Gyurcsany government regarding the imposition of property taxes. Making matters even stranger, opposition MPs rushed [...] |
2007-11-08 14:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1819 |
HUNGARY SUPPORTS CONTINUED EU HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-08 14:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | UNGA PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1829 |
HUNGARY: KOKA ON TROUBLED COALITION, PARTY POLITICS [...] (C) Summary: In a private meeting with Ambassador Foley November 8, Minister of Economy and SzDSz Party President Janos Koka expressed his pessimism over the prospects for further reform and cast doubts on continued coexistence with a fractured MSzP. He admits, however, that his party has fe [...] |
2007-11-13 15:07:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1831 |
ADJUSTING FIRE: HOW THE PARTIES ARE ADAPTING [...] (SBU) As Parliament enters the last month of its 2007 session, some clear trends are emerging regarding the evolving organization of both the government and the opposition. SPEED KILLS 2. (C) The government has demonstrated impressive resilience in its recent legislative offensive, mov [...] |
2007-11-14 09:56:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1850 |
MR. KOSTUNICA GOES TO BUDAPEST [...] (C) Summary: In a visit described as "neither as bad as we feared or as positive as we hoped," Serbian Prime Minister Kostunica met with Hungarian officials in Budapest November 13. Prime Minister Gyurcsany encouraged Kostunica to engage fully in finding a diplomatic solution to the question [...] |
2007-11-16 13:11:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL HU SR KO |
| 07BUDAPEST1855 |
HUNGARIAN COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF NOVEMBER'S EU [...] (C) Andras Dekany, Head of MFA's EU Relations and Crisis Situations Section, provided Embassy the GoH views on several reftel agenda items for the upcoming EU Foreign Ministers' meeting November 19-20. Beginning with the Chinese arms embargo issue, Dekany believes this will not be an agenda [...] |
2007-11-16 16:06:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST186 |
HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO GAERC FEBRUARY 12-13 FOREIGN [...] (C) SUMMARY: MFA Foreign and Security Policy Department Deputy Andras Dekany told poloff on 9 February that FM Goncz will primarily discuss Kosovo status at the February 12-13 GAERC meeting. The FM will also brief the other GAERC FMs re her recent travel to the Middle East. Though not likel [...] |
2007-02-09 15:19:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ETRD |
| 07BUDAPEST1871 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON DEMOCRACY IN [...] (C) MFA Latin-America desk officer, Szilard Teleki, discussed reftel demarche with PolOff on 16 November. Teleki stated that the MFA has no official position on the current political situation in Venezuela. Teleki recognized the concerns raised in the demarche, but commented that Chavez is [...] |
2007-11-21 13:28:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1872 |
HUNGARIAN SUPPORT FOR FURTHER SANCTIONS ON BURMA [...] (C) Hungarian MFA Asia/Pacific Department Counselor, Laszlo Takacs, provided response to ref A demarche on 19 November. Having recently attended the 46 nation Asia/Europe conference in China (ref B), Takacs commented that Burma was a key discussion topic. He stated that there was a growing c [...] |
2007-11-21 13:30:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ETRD EFIN HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1877 |
TRIANGULATION UNDER FIRE: A STEP BACK TOWARD THE [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para 10 for action request. 2. (C) A number of recent steps indicate continued efforts by the GoH to chart a course between Washington and Moscow. These latest steps include moves back toward the East in what will likely be a continuing series of [...] |
2007-11-21 15:54:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ENRG RU HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1879 |
TRIANGULATION UNDER FIRE: A STEP BACK TOWARD THE [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para 10 for action request. 2. (C) A number of recent steps indicate continued efforts by the GoH to chart a course between Washington and Moscow. These latest steps include moves back toward the East in what will likely be a continuing series of [...] |
2007-11-23 08:46:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL PGOV ENRG RU HU |
| 07BUDAPEST188 |
HUNGARIAN NOMINEES FOR CONFERENCE ON MODERN [...] Post warmly welcomes the opportunity to nominate the following GoH officials: Gyorgy Molnar, MFA Director for International Security Policy: A career diplomat, Molnar has extensive experience in the full range of security affairs including NATO issues. He visited Afghanistan during the pre [...] |
2007-02-12 08:39:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KISL EAID PINS PREL PROP PTER MARR MOPS |
| 07BUDAPEST1882 |
19TH CENTURY NERVOUS BREAKDOWN: SHADES OF THE PAST [...] (SBU) Our contacts across the political spectrum are still talking about the thought-provoking visit of foreign affairs columnist and commentator Robert Kagan November 19 ) 20. In a series of meetings with officials in and out of government, highlighted by remarks before a joint session of [...] |
2007-11-26 15:07:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1889 |
KOKA: TRAVELS SHOW NABUCCO POSSIBLE; LEADERSHIP [...] (SBU) Summary: Fresh from a trip to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, Economic Minister Janos Koka stressed the need to kick-start work on Nabucco, reviewed his plans to meet with European Energy Commissioner Piebalgs in Brussels on Thursday, November 29, and underscored the urgent need fo [...] |
2007-11-28 08:29:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON HU EU |
| 07BUDAPEST1910 |
HUNGARIANS BRIEFED ON IRAN NIE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-12-04 14:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | KNNP MNUC PARM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1934 |
2007 COUNTRY TERRORISM REPORT ON TERRORISM: HUNGARY [...] Hungarian authorities remain fully supportive of the military, economic, and political aspects of the Global War on Terror. Hungary has made a long-term commitment to continue its leadership of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and is proceeding with plans to increase its deplo [...] |
2007-12-11 06:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KPAO KHLS KCRM EFIN AEMR ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1950 |
PAINTING HUNGARY BY NUMBERS: THE REALITY AND THE [...] (C) Summary: Center-left think-tank DEMOS, &Hungary,s Strategic Audit 20078 casts light on the dark picture of Hungary,s broad social and political trends. In compiling data from a broad range of sources, DEMOS has confirmed that there is more than just a grain of truth to the stereotype of [...] |
2007-12-13 12:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1956 |
ANOTHER FINE MESS: LOOKING BACK ON 2007; FORWARD [...] (C) Summary: Parliament's December recess will bring to a close a fractious fall and a frustrating year. 2007 has seenmore motion than forward movement. The embattled Gyurcsany government has been able to take the initiative only episodically, but the opposition has been unable to force them [...] |
2007-12-14 14:14:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1980 |
2007 COUNTRY TERRORISM REPORT ON TERRORISM: HUNGARY [...] Hungarian authorities remain fully supportive of the military, economic, and political aspects of the Global War on Terror. Hungary has made a long-term commitment to continue its leadership of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and is proceeding with plans to increase its deplo [...] |
2007-12-21 10:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KPAO KHLS KCRM EFIN AEMR ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST1981 |
2007 COUNTRY TERRORISM REPORT ON TERRORISM: HUNGARY [...] Hungarian authorities remain fully supportive of the military, economic, and political aspects of the Global War on Terror. Hungary has made a long-term commitment to continue its leadership of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and is proceeding with plans to increase its deplo [...] |
2007-12-21 14:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KPAO KHLS KCRM EFIN AEMR ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST199 |
LET THE GAMES BEGIN: PARLIAMENT RETURNS [...] (C) Summary: Parliament returned for its first session of 2007 on February 12. Although the formal docket called for discussion of issues ranging from the Riga Summit to the confirmation of Constitutional Court judges, the event was dominated by Prime Minister Gyurcsany's opening address and [...] |
2007-02-13 09:04:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST226 |
BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH [...] (C) Never at a loss for a national holiday fraught with historical significance, Hungary approaches the March 15 anniversary of its 1848 Revolution with many in the opposition eager to cast their own confrontational policies as resistance to an unjust government. Although PM Gyurcsany has as [...] |
2007-02-15 15:16:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST248 |
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS: ORBAN'S STATE OF THE NATION [...] (C) FIDESZ Party President Viktor Orban gave a fiery "State of the Nation" address to an invited group of several hundred party representatives in Budapest February 16 (ref a). NEW MAJORITY VS. NEW ARISTOCRACY 2. (C) The speech represented a clear escalation in the opposition's rhetoric. [...] |
2007-02-21 14:59:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST266 |
SCENE-SETTER FOR DAS DI CARLO'S VISIT TO BUDAPEST [...] (C) The integration of the Balkans into the Euro-Atlantic community remains an issue of bipartisan consensus despite Hungary,s fractious domestic political dynamic. All parties supported NATO and EU accession and see the International Community's presence as key to stability in the Balkans an [...] |
2007-02-23 10:00:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST275 |
IRANIAN AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE IN BUDAPEST [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para 8 for action request. 2. (U) MFA Deputy Director for Asia (DAS Equivalent) Miklos Lengyel contacted Political Counselor to discuss a range of issues February 26 (other issues septel). 3. (S) Lengyel informed us that the Iranian governmen [...] |
2007-02-26 15:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL HU IR |
| 07BUDAPEST276 |
MAN OF THE HOUR: MSZP CONGRESS ELECTS PM GYURCSANY [...] (C) PM Gyurcsany asked for and received a strong mandate to lead the MSZP, winning the party presidency with over 89 percent of the vote during the February 24-25 party congress. As predicted, Defense Minister Imre Szekeres and Gyurcsany confidante Ference Juhasz were elected as the party's [...] |
2007-02-26 16:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU ASEC |
| 07BUDAPEST282 |
CANDID IN CAMERA: FIDESZ FACTION LEADER NAVRACSICS [...] (C) Summary: FIDESZ Parliamentary Faction Leader Tibor Navracsics outlined his ongoing efforts to shift the party's focus from politics to policies in a meeting with Ambassador Foley February 23. Navracsics downplayed the prospects for "fireworks" initiated by FIDESZ on March 15, detailed the [...] |
2007-02-27 10:21:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST289 |
HUNGARY'S POSITION ON IRAN EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE [...] (C) America Desk officer Andras Bacsi-Nagy told poloff on 22 February that the GOH will support the consensus of EU member states in terminating export credit insurance to Iran for "dual use items only." According to Mr. Bacsi-Nagy, the GAERC council will take up this issue again at the next [...] |
2007-02-27 12:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST292 |
HUNGARY COMMENTS ON IAEA TALKING POINTS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-02-27 15:30:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP KDEM PREL PGOV IR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST32 |
HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES US-EU PASSENGER [...] (U) On December 22, the Hungarian Parliament formally ratified a government act operationalizing the US-EU Agreement on Passenger Data Sharing, thus formalizing its prevous agreement to implement the accord in practice. 2. (C) The text of the government act was modified slightly from its [...] |
2007-01-10 11:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST320 |
GOH HOPES IRAN WILL CHANGE ITS PLANS RE [...] (S) DCM met with Senior State Secretary (Deputy Foreign Minister-equivalent) Dr. Marta Fekszi March 2 to deliver reftel guidance in response to the GoH's recent approach re a potential Iranian ambassadorial conference in Budapest. 2. (S) Dr. Fekszi expressed her appreciation for our rapid [...] |
2007-03-02 15:40:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL HU IR |
| 07BUDAPEST333 |
GUIDANCE REQUEST: POTENTIAL MILITARY TRANSFER TO [...] (C) This is an action message. Please see para 6 for action request. 2. (SBU) MFA Director for Non-Proliferation Andras Toth called PolEcon Counselor March 5 to discuss an "urgent and discreet issue." 3. (C) He explained that the GoH is currently considering a Libyan request to purc [...] |
2007-03-06 06:11:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR HU LY |
| 07BUDAPEST343 |
STRATEGIC WITHDRAWAL: HUNGARY'S FOREIGN POLICY [...] (C) Summary: The MFA's efforts to prepare new foreign policy strategy have pleased few in or out of the Ministry, with academics involved in the project complaining of little strategic guidance and less bureaucratic coordination. Foreign Minister Goncz has elected to post various portions of [...] |
2007-03-06 15:25:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST350 |
DAS DI CARLO'S CONSULTATIONS IN HUNGARY [...] (C) Summary: DAS Di Carlo's visit to Budapest March 1 - 2 updated key GoH decision-makers and opinion-leaders on our Balkan agenda, highlighted by our commitment to moving forward on final status for Kosovo to promote the entire region's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. Hungarian of [...] |
2007-03-07 12:02:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM MOPS HU |
| 07BUDAPEST354 |
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 MINUTES: PM GYURCSANY'S [...] (C) Summary: Prime Minister Gyurcsany addressed the diplomatic corps March 7 in his first "annual review" of Hungarian foreign policy. The event follows closely on the heels of a comprehensive but criticized study by the MFA (ref a), and sought to link constructive engagement abroad to conti [...] |
2007-03-08 10:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST359 |
IRAN CANCELS PROPOSED AMBASSADORS CONFERENCE IN [...] (S) Senior State Secretary (Deputy Secretary- equivalent) Dr. Marta Fekszi called DCM March 9 to advise him that the proposed Iranian Ambassadors conference in Budapest has been cancelled. 2. (S) Fekszi had been in touch with the Iranian Ambassador in Budapest per her reftel commitment. [...] |
2007-03-09 09:24:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL IR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST389 |
THE QUEST FOR THE CENTER: THE MDF SETS ITS SIGHTS [...] (C) The opposition Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) reelected party leader Dr. Ibolya David in a well-organized event March 11. Receiving over 80% of the vote for her fifth term - but not the three-year mandate she had reportedly sought - David set the party's goal as 10% of the vote in the [...] |
2007-03-13 09:47:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST392 |
GYURCSANY AND THE MSZP: STABLE, NOT SYNONYMOUS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-03-14 06:30:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST415 |
SCENESETTER FOR DAS PEKALA'S VISIT TO BUDAPEST [...] (C) Domestic politics continue to dominate Hungary's public discourse. Parliament is back in session, and the parties are evaluating the impact of the March 15 demonstrations on what all regard as a critical year. Recently elected as President of the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), Prime Mi [...] |
2007-03-21 06:30:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST417 |
THIS OLD HOUSE: NEW CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SIMOR ON [...] (SBU) Summary: Newly-appointed Governor Andras Simor met with Ambassador Foley March 19 to discuss his priorities for the Central Bank (MNB). He believes the economy is stable and the Bank sound, noting his intention to focus primarily on improving communication with the government, the oppo [...] |
2007-03-21 08:48:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN HU |
| 07BUDAPEST418 |
BY THE HUNGARIANS, FOR THE HUNGARIANS, AND WITHOUT [...] (C) Few preconceived notions are as closely held than the Hungarian obsession with their declining numbers. With the memory of Trianon never far away, the prospect of losing identity as well as territory is alarming to many Hungarians. So alarming, it seems, that the facts may not get in the [...] |
2007-03-21 10:15:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST447 |
HUNGARY'S VIEW ON EXTENSION OF THE OCCUPIED [...] No summary [...] |
2007-03-23 15:34:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST45 |
INITIAL GOH REACTION TO PRESIDENT'S POLICY ADDRESS [...] (SBU) Ambassador Foley reviewed the essential elements of the President's January 10 announcement on Iraq policy with MFA State Secretary Laszlo Varkonyi January 11 per reftel, emphasizing our support for the Iraqi government's actions to promote stability, bolster the economy, and achieve nat [...] |
2007-01-11 16:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS PGOV PREL IZ |
| 07BUDAPEST466 |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF UNSCR 1747 [...] (C) Ambassador Foley reviewed reftel demarche with MFA State Secretary Ivan Udvardi March 26 (other issues septel), leaving behind a non-paper for the GoH's reference. 2. (C) Udvardi expressed his appreciation for the update, conveyed his congratulations for securing unanimous support for [...] |
2007-03-26 14:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP EFIN IAEA PARM MNUC TRGY AORC UNSC |
| 07BUDAPEST467 |
DEMARCHE TO SUPPORT UN KOSOVO PROPOSALS [...] (C) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel demarche in a meeting with MFA State Secretary Ivan Udvardi March 26 (other issues septel). 2. (C) Udvardi expressed Hungary's recognition that "monitored independence" "along the lines of the Ahtisaari plan" is the likely outcome of the current proce [...] |
2007-03-26 14:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST504 |
READOUT OF DAS PEKALA'S BUDAPEST CONSULTATIONS [...] (C) Summary: EUR Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Pekala used his March 25-27 visit to Budapest to underscore to GOH decision-makers, advisors and opinion leaders our commitment to a continued strong relationship with Hungary based on shared principles and values. He also provided an interview [...] |
2007-04-02 11:53:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CVIS KDEM ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST509 |
SCENESETTER FOR CODEL LOWEY'S VISIT TO BUDAPEST [...] (U) Embassy Budapest looks forward to your visit and provides the following information in preparation for your arrival. 2. (C) Domestic politics continue to dominate Hungary's public discourse. Parliament is back in session to open what all regard as a critical year, and the parties are [...] |
2007-04-03 08:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST517 |
HUNGARY: RESETTLEMENT OF TWO ADDITIONAL GUANTANAMO [...] (C) Embassy Budapest assesses the likelihood of a favorable response to reftel request to be highly remote. 2. (C) The GoH has discussed the resettlement of several dozen Cuban refugees from Guantanamo at the highest levels and is reportedly giving the proposal favorable consideration. M [...] |
2007-04-04 14:29:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KAWC PTER PREL PHUM |
| 07BUDAPEST518 |
EXCESS BAGGAGE: FOREIGN POLICY AND DOMESTIC [...] (C) Summary: Foreign policy issues are playing an increasingly prominent role in Hungary's political discourse, with key questions highlighted by energy security challenging domestic issues for attention. The opposition is dedicating significant time, attention, and effort to its attacks on t [...] |
2007-04-04 15:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST521 |
PROTESTING TOO MUCH?: PM GYURCSANY ON ENERGY [...] (C) Prime Minister Gyurcsany showed a rare display of temper - but no substantive surprises - in discussing energy security and missile defense with Ambassador Foley April 5. ENERGY SECURITY: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS 2. (S) Ambassador Foley reviewed the questions and concerns rai [...] |
2007-04-05 14:38:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL PGOV ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST532 |
BETTER THAN (CONSERVATIVELY) EXPECTED: FINANCE [...] (C) A relaxed and upbeat Finance Minister Veres told Ambassador Foley April 4 that deficit reduction efforts are exceeding the GoH's conservative projections, with the GoH lowering the 2006 budget deficit to 9.2% of GDP rather than the anticipated 10.1%. He noted that the GoH was cautiously [...] |
2007-04-10 09:28:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN HU |
| 07BUDAPEST570 |
FROM VICTIMHOOD TO VULNERABILITY: GYURCSANY'S [...] (C) Prime Minister Gyurcsany met with Ambassador Foley for a one-on-one discussion April 16 to follow up on their recent exchange re energy security. 2. (S) Gyurcsany noted that he had been personally upset by the previous discussion and by the continuing focus on energy security in the p [...] |
2007-04-17 07:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL ECON ENRG HU |
| 07BUDAPEST613 |
HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE TO PROMOTE A COMMON [...] (U) MFA Iran desk officer told poloff on April 20 that GOH policies concerning restricting export tax credits to Iran are "in step" with the USG position. Nyitrai elaborated that "Hungary has little, if any trade with Iran." Nytrai anticipates no dissent among EU partners regarding the commo [...] |
2007-04-20 15:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EFIN ETRD EXIM OECD |
| 07BUDAPEST632 |
COVERING THE WATERFRONT: NATIONAL BANK CHAIRMAN ON [...] (C) Summary: Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) Chairman Andras Simor shared his views on Hungary's economic trends and their political impact with G-8 Ambassadors April 17. He expressed particular concern re Hungary's lagging growth rate, the continuing challenge of reforming attitudes as well as [...] |
2007-04-25 14:17:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST636 |
HUNGARY'S REPRESENTATION AT COALITION CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-04-25 15:07:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER |
| 07BUDAPEST639 |
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM: FIDESZ APPROACHES ITS PARTY [...] (C) FIDESZ and party president Viktor Orban appear stable in advance of the party Congress on May 5. All indications are that Orban will remain unchallenged for now, and that the party will make a "political declaration" but will not announce any long-term policy platform at the meeting. Aft [...] |
2007-04-26 09:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV KUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST646 |
HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO U.S. DEMARCHE ON NPT PREPCOM [...] (U) In follow-up to delivery of reftel demarche, MFA Security Policy and Non-Proliferation desk officer Zoltan Papp thanked poloff for sharing our input saying, "several departments are carefully reviewing the text" thus he cannot offer a substantive response at this time. Papp promised to co [...] |
2007-04-26 14:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP ENRG MNUC PARM PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST647 |
HUNGARY ALREADY CONTRIBUTING FULL RESOURCES IN [...] (C) Per reftel the Government of Hungary (GOH) is currently contributing maximum resources to ongoing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 25 April, Minister of Defense Szekeres reaffirmed GOH contributions to NTM-I in high-level Pentagon meetings with SECDEF, CJCS and at State with D, notin [...] |
2007-04-26 15:16:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER HU |
| 07BUDAPEST667 |
CUBAN EMBASSY INFORMALLY PROTESTS MCCARRY VISIT [...] (C) According to MFA U.S. Desk officer Andras Bacsi-Nagy, a Cuban Embassy official approached an MFA official at a reception on 26 April to protest Hungary's policies on Cuba as well as MFA meetings with Cuban Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry. In a meeting with poloff on 27 April, Bacsi- [...] |
2007-04-30 13:19:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST69 |
COLD COMFORT: POLITICAL DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS [...] (C) The shut-off of the oil pipeline from Russia and renewed sparring between the Gyurcsany government and the opposition have placed Hungary's ambivalent relationship with Moscow at center stage as the government returns from its holiday break. "THE MERRIEST BARRACKS IN GAZPROM" 2. (U [...] |
2007-01-17 14:23:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL RU HU PGOV ECON |
| 07BUDAPEST70 |
MFA ON CUBA, AFGHANISTAN, AND RUSSIAN OIL CUT-OFF [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Foley met with MFA State Secretary Varkonyi January 11 to review the state of play on SIPDIS key issues following her return from the EUR Chiefs of Mission Conference. Varkonyi outlined GoH initiatives to promote a democratic transition in Cuba, including the addit [...] |
2007-01-17 15:34:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MOPS MARR PHUM KDEM ECON |
| 07BUDAPEST71 |
MFA ON CUBA, AFGHANISTAN, AND RUSSIAN OIL CUT-OFF [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Foley met with MFA State Secretary Varkonyi January 11 to review the state of play on SIPDIS key issues following her return from the EUR Chiefs of Mission Conference. Varkonyi outlined GoH initiatives to promote a democratic transition in Cuba, including the addit [...] |
2007-01-17 15:35:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MOPS MARR PHUM KDEM ECON |
| 07BUDAPEST732 |
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE: STRAIN WITHIN THE COALITION [...] (C) Summary: Surveying the current state of play within the governing coalition, outgoing SZDSZ party president Gabor Kuncze told Ambassador Foley that there is perceptible distance - and potential conflict - between Prime Minister Gyurcsany and newly-elected SZDSZ leader Janos Koka. Kuncze [...] |
2007-05-10 11:49:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST736 |
HUNGARY: DEAL NEEDED ON OECD ENLARGEMENT AND [...] No summary [...] |
2007-05-10 15:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON OECD EUN HU |
| 07BUDAPEST754 |
HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON CUBA TRANSITION [...] (U) Senior officials across Hungary's political spectrum expressed gratitude for USG engagement and strong support for our efforts to "create space" for a democratic transition in Cuba in meetings with Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry May 6 - 7. 2. (C) Throughout his meetings, Mc [...] |
2007-05-14 07:12:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST76 |
MFA LOOKS FORWARD TO JANUARY 26 NATO MINISTERIAL [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para xxx for action request. 2. (C) Ambassador Foley reviewed the latest USG thinking on Afghanistan and Kosovo with MFA Political Director Ivan Udvardi in preparation for the upcoming meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels January 26. A [...] |
2007-01-18 10:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MOPS EAID |
| 07BUDAPEST777 |
KOSOVO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO UNSC ACTION [...] (U) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel demarche in a meeting with MFA State Secretary (Political Director-equivalent) Ivan Udvardi May 15. 2. (C) Udvardi evinced little surprise at the broad outlines of our policy but did seek confirmation that passage of a resolution in May is our objective [...] |
2007-05-16 09:40:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV HU |
| 07BUDAPEST778 |
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (UNHRC) ELECTION: [...] (U) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel demarche in the context of a May 15 meeting with MFA State Secretary (Political Director-equivalent) Ivan Udvardi (other issues septel). 2. (C) Udvardi expressed his complete agreement with our support for Bosnia's candidacy, stating flatly that "Hungar [...] |
2007-05-16 09:47:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM HU |
| 07BUDAPEST788 |
KOKA IN COMMAND: ECONOMY MINISTER OUTLINES REFORM [...] (C) A confident and conversant Economy Minister and SZDSZ party president Janos Koka outlined his views on the GoH's reform agenda and reviewed the SZDSZ party's prospects in a meeting with Ambassador Foley May 15. Koka cast his efforts to "rebuild the SZDSZ nation-wide" as a means to "comple [...] |
2007-05-16 14:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON ENRG |
| 07BUDAPEST790 |
HUNGARY STILL CONSIDERING ATTENDANCE AT AUSTRALIA [...] (S) The MFA is "still considering who will represent the Government of Hungary" at the upcoming Australia Group (AG) plenary meeting in Paris. The GoH is "well aware of the meeting" but due to "staffing gaps and transfers" the Department of Security and Non-proliferation Policy still does n [...] |
2007-05-16 14:37:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PARM PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST815 |
VERES: REFORMS ON TRACK [...] (C) Summary: In a brief May 16 meeting to discuss the recently released International Monetary Fund (IMF) Report on Hungary (Ref), Finance Minister Veres expressed confidence in ongoing reforms, noting the successful, quiet (without prompting any of the recent demonstrations or other strong [...] |
2007-05-21 14:57:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST818 |
HUNGARY: CLEANING HOUSE AT THE MINISTRY OF [...] (C) Long beleaguered Minister of Justice Jozsef Petretei and Head of the Police Security Service General Jozsef Dobozi resigned on June 20, followed on May 21 by National Security Service head General Lajos Galambos, amidst a flurry of police impropriety scandals that converged in the proceedi [...] |
2007-05-21 15:49:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KUM ASEC HU |
| 07BUDAPEST823 |
FROM A WHISPER TO A SCREAM: FIDESZ PARTY CONGRESS [...] (C) Summary: FIDESZ president Viktor Orban was reelected by an overwhelming margin at a May 19 - 20 party convention where sweeping invective against the Gyurcsany government competed with substantive policy discussion. The party worked hard - and in large part successfully - to place itself [...] |
2007-05-22 14:05:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON HU |
| 07BUDAPEST844 |
DEMARCHE ON THE GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA RELATIONSHIP [...] (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel remarks in separate meetings with MFA Iran Desk Officer Istvan Nyitrai and MFA Traveling Ambassador for the Andean Region Pal Varga-Koritar. While remarking that the current state of relations with Iran and Venezuela is "troubling," Mr. Nyitrai believes the sign [...] |
2007-05-25 08:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL MARR PHUM MASS ECON PTER |
| 07BUDAPEST865 |
SPEECH IMPEDIMENT: GYURCSANY'S INFAMOUS GAFFE ONE [...] (C) The first anniversary of PM Gyurcsany's now-infamous address to an MSZP party meeting has not passed without comment, as both the government and the opposition have used the occasion to reiterate their points and to recast their running debate. "NOW YOU DON'T TALK SO LOUD; NOW YOU DON'T [...] |
2007-05-30 13:43:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST866 |
DISTORTED REFLECTIONS: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE [...] (C) Hungary's political parties leave the spring convention season with their leadership either reaffirmed (FIDESZ and the MDF) or realigned (MSZP and SZDSZ). Although the parties are intent on minimizing their internal divisions, there is an ironic gap between the current party presidents a [...] |
2007-05-30 13:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST883 |
RUSSIA'S HUNGARIAN OFFENSIVE [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see para 6 for guidance request. 2. (C) In a May 25 interview with the Hungarian publication Magyar Hirlap May 25, former Russian PM and current Chamber of Trade and Industry President Yevgevni Primakov disavowed any Russian intention to interfere in [...] |
2007-06-01 08:54:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL RU HU |
| 07BUDAPEST910 |
HUNGARY RESPONDS TO DEVELOPING A UNIFIED ALLIANCE [...] (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche points to MFA Security and Non-proliferation Department head Gyorgy Molnar, department deputy Vilmos Hamikus and department NATO expert Gabor Marosfi on June 4. According to Molnar, Hungary agrees with our positions noting that Russia withdrawing from the [...] |
2007-06-05 10:28:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KCFE NATO PARM PREL HU |
| 07BUDAPEST947 |
PAY ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN: [...] (C) FIDESZ Parliamentary Faction Leader Tibor Navracsics is rapidly emerging from relative obscurity to national political prominence. He is amassing influence within the party for his mastery of the issues and assuming a higher public profile as the opposition's spokesperson in Parliament. [...] |
2007-06-11 09:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST962 |
THE CRITICS AGREE: THE GROWING CHORUS OF CRITICISM [...] (C) Opposition figures, government insiders, and outside observers are increasingly vocal in their criticism of the substantive content and the bureaucratic process of Hungary's foreign policy. KICK ME 2. (C) The growing discontentment makes for strange bedfellows. Both Alexandra Dobo [...] |
2007-06-12 14:14:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR HU |
| 07BUDAPEST98 |
HUNGARY'S POSITION ON OSLO CLUSTER MUNITIONS [...] (C) GOH officials say that Hungary will accept the Government of Norway's (GON) invitation to attend the February 22-23 Oslo conference per reftel. MFA Director of Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Policy Andras Toth told POL off on 22 January that the GOH will attend the conference "in ord [...] |
2007-01-23 14:58:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PARM PREL NATO |
| 07BUDAPEST986 |
OPENING DOORS AND OPENING EYES: PM GYURCSANY ON [...] (S) Summary: PM Gyurcsany and his wife, Dr. Klara Dobrev, joined Ambassador Foley for lunch June 17. Discussion focused on Russia policy, with a tense, reticent and often defensive Gyurcsany expressing his desire "not to get caught in the middle" of the declining US-Russia relationship. He [...] |
2007-06-18 12:18:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINR RU HU ENRG |
| 07BUDAPEST992 |
BLUE DANUBE: POLITICAL COMMENTATORS' MEETING WITH [...] (C) Former Secretary Albright's breakfast with Hungarian political commentators June 14 reflected consensus across the political spectrum that Hungary is still struggling practically and psychologically with the responsibilities of its accession into the Euro-Atlantic mainstream. 2. (C) O [...] |
2007-06-19 09:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1000 |
EAVESDROPPING; CONFIDENCE DROPPING: DOMESTIC [...] (SBU) Although largely eclipsed by the recent shocks to the stock and bond markets (septel), Hungary's domestic espionage scandal continues to expand in scope and could further complicate economic triage efforts. 2. (C) Although criminal charges against the suspect firm, UD Zrt, reportedl [...] |
2008-10-14 15:13:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1004 |
HUNGARIAN INTEREST TO SUPPORT NORWAY-IAEA SAFETY [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-17 08:56:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET//NOFORN | PARM PREL MNUC KNNP IR HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1005 |
THE UPSIDE OF MELTDOWN: POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY AND [...] (C) As Hungary's markets continue their rough ride (septel), Prime Minister Gyurcsany has seized on this weekend's "National Summit Meeting" as a means to address both Hungary's immediate economic challenges as well as his own long list of political problems. Designed to bring together Hunga [...] |
2008-10-17 09:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON EFIN HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1006 |
THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS HITS HUNGARY [...] (SBU) Following years of high budget deficits and other economic policy mistakes, together with a high reliance on foreign currency-denominated loans, Hungary finds itself particularly vulnerable to the secondary effects of the financial crisis - the increasing cost and drying up of credit, lo [...] |
2008-10-17 09:04:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1008 |
HUNGARY DESIRES CONTACT POINT DESIGNATION IN [...] (SBU) During a meeting on October 9, MFA Security and Non-proliferation Department Head Vilmos Hamikus asked PolOff to forward Hungary's desire to serve as the Contact Lead Nation in Montenegro. Commenting that "Hungary has no nasty roots in the region," he stated that Hungary has a special p [...] |
2008-10-20 10:22:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL NATO HU MW |
| 08BUDAPEST1009 |
HUNGARY WILL NOT PARTICPATE IN THE NOVEMBER 13-14 [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-20 10:23:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM PREL KGIC PINR PTER HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1010 |
HUNGARIAN, CZECH AND POLISH TENTH ANNIVERSARY [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-20 11:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL NATO HU PL EZ |
| 08BUDAPEST1015 |
HUNGARY TO ATTEND OCTOBER 22 GEORGIA DONORS' [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-22 07:34:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KCRS EAID GG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1018 |
BUDAPEST FY 2009 REGIONAL ESTH HUB WORK PLAN [...] (U) In FY09, the Budapest Environment, Science, Technology and Health (ESTH) Hub will build on its ongoing efforts promoting and leveraging U.S. engagement on ESTH issues to strengthen regional cooperation in the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. To this end, we will seek [...] |
2008-10-22 14:29:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV TBIO KPSC AMGT XH XG ZJ ZL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1021 |
SOUTHERN COMFORT: ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY, [...] (S) Information developed by other agencies and passed to the Department via their channels indicates renewed and covert contacts between senior GoH officials and Russian intelligence officers. VERES IN THE LEAD 2. (S) As the GoH works to finalize an extraordinary international financi [...] |
2008-10-28 11:12:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL ENRG ECON HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1025 |
HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON BOSNIA [...] (C) Summary. Sharing U.S. concerns on the current political situation in Bosnia Hercegovina (BiH), the Hungarian MFA's Russia and Balkans Department Deputy Director Istvan Ijgyarto believes the situation has moved two years backwards. Stating that several EU countries are inclined to move Se [...] |
2008-10-30 08:22:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV EU BK HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1026 |
HUNGARY TO SUPPORT CUBA CANDIDATE FOR UN HUMAN [...] (C) In an October 29 meeting, MFA America's Directorate Head Szilveszter Bus told DCM that Hungary has reached an agreement with Cuba to support each other's candidates for the UN Human Rights Council. Bus stated he was instructed by the Foreign Minister to convey the information for the sake [...] |
2008-10-30 15:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREL UNGA UNHRC CU HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1027 |
FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS: HOW HARD WILL BORROWERS BE [...] (U) Although most hope and expect the recently announced IMF assistance package will help strengthen and stabilize Hungary's currency, the recent weakening of the forint has caused many to consider the impact a weakened currency will have on the large number of households holding foreign curre [...] |
2008-10-30 15:32:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1032 |
POST RESPONSE TO FOIA REQUEST NO. 200706444 [...] A search of all files in the front office, the POL/ECON and RSO sections revealed no responsive material in any media. There is no record of responsive material being retired to the department. 2. Jeff Levine, DCM, can attest to the adequacy of the search conducted by post. LEVINE [...] |
2008-10-31 09:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | AINF HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1033 |
HUNGARY WILL CONSIDER HOSTING A FUTURE EXERCISE [...] In a follow-up discussion to ref A demarche delivered October 27, MFA Section for Arms Control and Non-proliferation Head Mark Horvath told PolOff October 30 that the MFA will take under consideration hosting a future Exercise Planning Group (EPG) event. Horvath noted that the MFA is facing a [...] |
2008-10-31 09:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM MCAP PINR PINS HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1035 |
HUNGARY NOT INVITED TO IRAN'S UPCOMING NUCLEAR [...] No summary [...] |
2008-10-31 15:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC MNUC TRGY IR HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1047 |
Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff's visit to [...] Summary: Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff visited Budapest October 28-29, in connection with Hungary's accession to membership in the Visa Waiver Program and to discuss security issues with Hungarian counterparts. The official program took place on October 28, 2008, with the S [...] |
2008-11-04 13:29:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CMGT CVIS HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1049 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO DIALOGUE ON PALESTINIAN [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-04 14:03:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1050 |
HUNGARIAN SUPPORT FOR NORWAY-IAEA SAFETY TRAINING [...] (S) In a follow-up to Hungary's initial response reported in ref C, Dr Kristof Horvath, Head of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Agency's (HAEA) Department of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials, told PolOff on November 3 that Hungary, in principle, is prepared to support the Norwegian sponsored trai [...] |
2008-11-04 14:05:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PARM PREL MNUC KNNP TRGY IR HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1058 |
SPECIAL ENVOY GRAY TALKS PIPELINES, CLIMATE POLICY [...] (C) SUMMARY: During his two-day trip to Budapest to take part in an energy conference, Special Envoy Gray held a series of meetings with regional energy officials and experts. These conversations revealed that despite recent Russian diplomatic and financial setbacks, Gazprom and its partner [...] |
2008-11-06 12:49:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON EPET PGOV SENV KGHG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1059 |
THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR...AND THE ELEPHANT IN THE [...] (C) Summary. With the immediate crisis seemingly averted and with discussions underway with the IMF, EU, and the World Bank on the details of the international stabilization package, the economic debate in Hungary is beginning to shift toward a closer examination of the steps the government is [...] |
2008-11-06 13:38:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST107 |
PM'S FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR ON KOSOVO, AZERBAIJAN [...] (SBU) Prime Minister Gyurcsany's Foreign and Security Policy Advisor, Ambassador Karoly Banai, updated Ambassador Foley on Hungary's policy re Kosovo and Azerbaijan in a meeting January 31. KOSOVO: MAKING IT CLEAR TO MOSCOW 2. (C) Banai noted that PM Gyurcsany had called in the Russian [...] |
2008-01-31 16:15:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL RU AZ ECON ENRG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1075 |
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM HUNGARIAN POLITICAL [...] Following is the text of a congratulatory message to President-elect Obama from Gabor Fodor, Chairman, Alliance of Free Democrats, the Hungarian Liberal Party, received November 6, 2008. 2. Begin Text Dear Senator Obama, Allow me to congratulate you for your own great victory, and f [...] |
2008-11-10 10:06:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL OVIP HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1076 |
Budapest's Public Outreach on Visa Waiver Program and ESTA [...] Summary: Embassy Budapest has engaged in active public and media outreach related to the Visa Waiver Program dating back to the commencement of the Roadmap process for Hungary, and redoubled efforts following the passage of the legislation last summer. Post seized upon the October 17 White H [...] |
2008-11-10 11:11:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CMGT CVIS HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1078 |
HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON NOVEMBER 10-11 FOREIGN [...] (U) MFA EU External Relations and Crisis Situations Section Head Andras Dekany provided the following comments to PolOff on November 7 for the GAERC meeting scheduled for November 10-11. 2. (C) Russia: The main question is: has Russia miscalculated its strategy on Georgia? There are sig [...] |
2008-11-10 12:46:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EUN RU GG AF HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1080 |
HUNGARY OFFERS TO HOST FUTURE EXERCISE PLANNING [...] In a follow-up to reftels, MFA Arms Control and Non-proliferation Section Chief Mark Horvath told PolOff on November 7 that his leadership has "agreed in principle" to organize a Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Exercise Planning Group (EPG) event, preferably in November 2009. H [...] |
2008-11-10 15:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM KGIC PREL MCAP HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1082 |
NRC CHAIRMAN MEETING WITH HUNGARIAN NUCLEAR ENERGY [...] (C) SUMMARY. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Dale Klein met with representatives of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA), addressed the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and visited Hungary's new radioactive waste facility from September 22-25, 2008. Chairman Klein emphasized [...] |
2008-11-12 05:59:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ETTC TRGY KNNP IAEA KTIA CVIS HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1083 |
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM HUNGARIAN POLITICAL [...] Following is the text of a congratulatory message to President-elect Obama from Viktor Orban, Chairman of Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union, received November 10, 2008. 2. Begin text Dear Senator Obama, I wish to congratulate you whole-heartedly on your spectacular victory at the 2008 pr [...] |
2008-11-12 08:44:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL OVIP HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1089 |
POST APPROVAL FOR NON-PROFESSIONAL COURIER [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-13 05:56:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | ASEC PTER HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1095 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: DELIVERY OF GULF-BASED AL-QAIDA [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-17 17:13:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KTFN PTER ETTC PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1099 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: LEVERAGING FATF STATEMENT ON [...] (SBU) Embassy delivered ref a demarche to Ministry of Finance Department of International Relations Head of Unit Dr. Krisztina Kovacs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs European Legal Department Head of Unit Szilvia Balasz. Both ministries were aware of the FATF guidance, and noted the recent EU [...] |
2008-11-18 10:11:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL EFIN KNNP HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1102 |
HUNGARIAN/SLOVAKIAN PRIME MINISTERS MEET NOVEMEBER [...] (SBU) Summary. In their first substantial meeting in more than a year, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany of Hungary and Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia on November 15 discussed ways to decrease ethnic tensions that reached a flash point during a November 1 soccer match in the Slovakian b [...] |
2008-11-18 14:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV LO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1103 |
CRISIS ON LAYAWAY: THE POLITICAL IMPACT OF THE [...] (SBU) Although the Parliament continues to debate the implementing measures necessitated by Hungary's agreements with the IMF and EU (ref a), contacts are beginning to cautiously survey the longer-term landscape after weeks of crisis management. CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE 2. (SBU) For t [...] |
2008-11-18 15:21:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1104 |
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM HUNGARIAN POLITICAL [...] Following is the text of a congratulatory message to President-elect Obama from Tibor Sztankovanszki, President, and Sandor Bacskai, Secretary General of the Hungarian Social Democratic Party, received November 7, 2008. 2. Begin text Please convey the best wishes of the Historic Hungari [...] |
2008-11-19 10:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL OVIP HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1105 |
EMBASSY BUDAPEST ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF CONSULAR CONTROLS [...] Post completed the Annual Review and Certification of Consular Controls on November 19, 2008. Post certifies that it is in compliance with all sub-paragraphs in reftel. The certifying officer is Deputy Chief of Mission Jeffery D. Levine. Narrative responses to all subparagraphs in reftel fo [...] |
2008-11-20 16:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | CMGT CVIS CASC KFRD HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1108 |
BANKS SAY NO TO STATE ASSISTANCE...FOR NOW [...] (U) The IMF 12.5 billion euro stand-by loan to Hungary includes provisions to help increase the equity and liquidity of banks in Hungary. The "banking sector package" includes a HUF 300 billion (approx. USD 1.5 billion) Capital Base Enhancement Fund to increase banks' capital adequacy ratio to [...] |
2008-11-21 15:34:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1118 |
PRIME MINISTER GYURCSANY AMBIGUOUS ON NABUCCO, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Hungarian Prime Minister Gyurcsany continued to play both advocate and devil's advocate for the Nabucco pipeline at an energy summit in Baku on November 14. He argued forcefully for Nabucco on the grounds of its importance to European energy security, based on his comments to re [...] |
2008-11-24 16:37:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON EPET PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1119 |
HUNGARY CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR U.S. UNGA FIRST [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-25 07:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | MNUC PARM PREL UNGA HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1122 |
HUNGARY ABSTAINING AGAIN ON UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-25 14:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1135 |
HUNGARIAN DEFENSE MINISTER'S MEETING WITH [...] (C/NF) Summary. Hungarian Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres outlined key financial aspects of the Hungarian National Military Strategy in meeting with Ambassador on November 21. Highlighting the current Government's commitment to increase the Defense budget over the next five years, Szekeres [...] |
2008-11-26 14:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | MARR MCAP PGOV PREL AF HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1136 |
HUNGARIAN QUID PRO QUO OFFER OF SUPPORT FOR U.S. [...] On November 21, Post received a note verbale in English dated November 21 announcing the candidacy of Professor Attila Harmathy for re-election to the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) for the 2009-2013 period and proposing Hungaria [...] |
2008-11-26 14:10:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNIDROIT HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1139 |
WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP: THE IMPACT OF [...] (C) Summary. Although there is little agreement among experts regarding Hungary's growth rate for 2009, most business leaders remain pessimistic about the future. Some sectors in the real economy have already begun experiencing the negative effects of Hungary's economic slowdown, while other [...] |
2008-11-26 14:20:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1143 |
BOKROS AND SIMOR: A "GEEK CHORUS" FOR ECONOMIC [...] (C) With the minority socialist government stuck in the refrain that it is pursuing "all the economic reforms the public is willing to accept," and the leading opposition FIDESZ party often resorting to populist rhetoric rather than practical alternatives, there is a vacuum of prominent Hungar [...] |
2008-11-28 15:20:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL PINR HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1144 |
CLIMATE CHANGE: OUTREACH TO HUNGARY ON U.S. [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador Foley delivered USG talking points on the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP-14) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to Hungarian Minister of Environment Szabo on November 20, and ESTH Hub Officer followed up with Hungarian climat [...] |
2008-11-28 15:26:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG KGHG SENV HU US EUN |
| 08BUDAPEST1145 |
EU BIOFUEL SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA DEMARCHE [...] (SBU) EconOff delivered the talking points received in Ref A to Zsuzsanna Bibok, head of the Air, Noise and Transport Unit at the Ministry of Environment and Water, and to her assistant, Mate Kovacs. Bibok seemed generally receptive to U.S. views concerning biofuel sustainability criteria, b [...] |
2008-12-01 07:59:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR KGHG SENV ENRG TRGY EUN HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1149 |
INL A/S JOHNSON DISCUSSES AFGHAN AND HUNGARIAN [...] (C) Summary: INL A/S David Johnson stopped in Budapest October 27, on the tail end of a trip to Afghanistan and the Balkans. He spoke at INL,s Budapest International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), met with Hungarian MFA officials to discuss Afghanistan counter-narcotics (CN) issues, and atte [...] |
2008-12-01 13:44:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PREL PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST115 |
MINISTER KAKOSY COMMITTED TO REFORM, CONCERNED [...] (C) Summary: In a first official meeting with Ambassador Foley, recently appointed Minister of Economy and Transport Csaba Kakosy outlined minority coalition party SzDSz plans for tax reform, highlighted potential problems with health reform, and underscored Hungary's complex energy challenge [...] |
2008-02-04 14:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG ECON HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1151 |
HUNGARY TO SIGN CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-02 11:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM NATO MOPS PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1157 |
HUNGARIAN FOCUS AT THE HELSINKI OSCE MINISTERIAL [...] (C) MFA Deputy Director of the International Organizations and Human Rights Department, Zoltan Pecze, discussed reftel with PolOff on December 2. Pecze stated that Foreign Minister Goncz will directly address the Medvedev Security Treaty proposal during her speech at the December 4-5 Ministe [...] |
2008-12-03 13:49:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OSCE RU HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1158 |
INDIAN SUMMER: HUNGARY MOVES FROM A HURRY TO [...] (C) Summary: With the winter recess in sight, the Gyurcsany government is congratulating itself on the passage of the 2009 budget and the adoption of minor changes in Hungary's tax structure. But the international stabilization package has provided only a tenuous degree of stability, and eco [...] |
2008-12-04 10:45:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON EFIN HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1174 |
HUNGARIAN MFA APPRISED OF SYRIA'S TECHNICAL [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-09 14:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA TRGY HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1175 |
HUNGARY SUPPORTS DRAFT NSG TEXT FOR TRANSFERS OF [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-09 14:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP ENRG ETTC MNUC PARM TRGY HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1176 |
HUNGARY WILL ATTEND PAKISTAN DONORS CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-09 14:33:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EFIN HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1179 |
OUTREACH TO HUNGARY ON IMPLEMENTATION OF AMENDED [...] On December 8, ESTH Hub Officer and ESTH FSN delivered reftel demarche to Dr. Katalin Rodics, Head of the Ministry of Environment and Water's Department for European Community Law and Coordination. Rodics welcomed the implementation of the amended Lacey Act, indicating that the EU is working [...] |
2008-12-10 11:41:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID EAGR ETRD EINV BTIO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1180 |
HUNGARY: COUNTRY REVIEW ON RELATIONS WITH CUBA [...] (C) The DCM met with MFA's America's Department Director Szilveszter Bus on December 9 to discuss ref A. Post views Hungary as a strong supporter of democracy development in Cuba. Although the GoH has joined the EU consensus on lifting the embargo, they view the U.S. approach as appropriate [...] |
2008-12-10 12:14:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD ETTC HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1186 |
LETTER FROM PM GYURCSANY TO PRESIDENT BUSH [...] (C) Following is the text of a letter dated December 10, 2008 from Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in response to a letter from President Bush. 2. (U) Begin Text Dear Mr. President, Allow me to confirm that I fully agree with the statements you have made in your recent letter regardi [...] |
2008-12-12 16:04:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON EPET PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1188 |
GOH FINALIZING PLANS FOR NABUCCO SUMMIT [...] (U) SUMMARY: GoH continues to make progress, mainly due to the efforts of its Special Ambassador for the Nabucco project, Mihaly Bayer, in organizing the Nabucco Summit it will host in January. Bayer has already secured numerous high-profile commitments to attend the Summit, but several imp [...] |
2008-12-15 10:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON EPET PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1192 |
A WINTER OF DISCONTENT: WORKERS STRIKE AGAINST [...] (SBU) As Parliament is preparing to finish its Autumn session with the passage of a leaner 2009 budget bill, a growing number of current and planned transportation industry and public sector employee strikes are disrupting daily life in Hungary, and increasing pressure on the cash-strapped go [...] |
2008-12-16 06:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PREL ELAB HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1201 |
ECONOMIC REFORM ISSUES I: THE TAX WEDGE [...] (U) This is the first in a series of reports on structural economic reforms proposed by economists and macroeconomic analysts to help Hungary achieve higher economic growth, reduce macroeconomic vulnerabilities, and to remain economically competitive in the region. THE HIGH TAX BURDEN ON LAB [...] |
2008-12-17 08:44:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1207 |
HUNGARIAN HCOC REQUEST [...] (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 3. 2. (C) MFA Security and Non-proliferation Section Chief Mark Horvath requested a meeting with PolOff December 16 to discuss the current status of U.S.-Russian discussions related to the Joint Data Exchange Center. Commenting that the current [...] |
2008-12-18 13:25:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL RS HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1208 |
HUNGARY'S VIEW ON UNESCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL ELECTION [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-18 13:27:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNESCO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1209 |
MAGYAR GARDA - THE LONG-AWAITED COURT RULING [...] Summary. The Budapest Municipal Court ruled December 16 to disband the Magyar Garda Association. The Association will appeal the ruling. However, the Magyar Garda Movement, not a legal entity under the law, remains in place with potential anti-Roma demonstrations likely down the road. End [...] |
2008-12-18 13:31:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM SOCI HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1210 |
HUNGARY WOULD CONSIDER ATTENDING POTENTIAL [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-18 13:32:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EFIN HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1211 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON UNITED NATIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-18 13:33:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AMGT AORC APER UNGA HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1212 |
HUNGARY - NO PLANS FOR FURTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-18 13:33:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER UNSC HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1213 |
PRESIDENT SOLYOM'S INJUDICIOUS ACTIVISM [...] (C) Summary: The chorus of complaints regarding Prime Minister Gyurcsany has largely but not completely obscured the mixed reviews received by President Laszlo Solyom. Seen as principled by his supporters and pedantic by his critics, Solyom has tested the boundaries of his largely ceremonial [...] |
2008-12-19 06:06:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KBIO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1214 |
BANKING SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS: GOV'T AND BANKS ADAPT [...] (SBU) Summary. The banking industry is undergoing a rapid transformation as the financial crisis and global credit crunch impose new realities on the financial sector in Hungary. Banks find themselves altering their business models to reduce loan deposit ratios and improve the quality of the [...] |
2008-12-19 06:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1216 |
HUNGARIAN/SLOVAKIAN RELATIONS - A LONG AND WINDING [...] (U) Summary. This is joint Embassy Budapest-Embassy Bratislava cable. Despite several, recent high-level meetings between Hungarian and Slovak officials, significant challenges remain to address minority-rights issues and extremism on both sides of the border. Following an impromptu Novemb [...] |
2008-12-19 15:39:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM LO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1218 |
2008-2009 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-22 10:09:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST122 |
GET THE REF OUT: THE PARTIES APPROACH THE REFERENDUM [...] (C) Summary: The parties are getting an early start on the spring political season by finalizing preparations for a March 9 referendum on key elements of the government's austerity package. Riding high on recent polling data, the opposition is casting the referendum as a de facto vote of no co [...] |
2008-02-06 17:01:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST1227 |
HUNGARY PLANNING EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR ENERGY [...] (U) SUMMARY: The probable expansion of the Hungarian nuclear power sector offers significant opportunities to U.S. firms engaged in nuclear-related manufacturing and services. Hungary is currently considering building one or two new nuclear reactor units at the Paks nuclear plant. There is s [...] |
2008-12-23 14:52:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO KGHG US RS FR HU |
| 08BUDAPEST123 |
SCENE-SETTER FOR UNDER SECRETARY JEFFERY'S VISIT [...] (C) As Parliament returns from its winter recess, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany will likely begin 2008 where he ended 2007: with his governing coalition under pressure, his domestic reforms under siege and his foreign policy orientation under question. Your meetings in Budapest will help i [...] |
2008-02-07 10:40:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ENRG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST124 |
AVERTING CHECKMATE ON HUNGARIAN-TURKMEN ENERGY [...] (U) This is a joint guidance request from Embassies Ashgabat and Budapest. 2. (U) Embassies Ashgabat and Budapest request urgent guidance to avert the conclusion of a pending energy supply contract between Turkmenistan and Hungary which could be concluded within days. The contract, negot [...] |
2008-02-07 13:30:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST147 |
HUNGARY DENIES MILLANDER-TURKMENISTAN DEAL [...] (C) Ambassador Foley met February 12 with Ambassador Karoly Banai, Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Gyurcsany. "UNSTABLE" MIDDLEMAN; "ALARMING" LETTER 2. (C) Ambassador Banai listened intently to reftel points, asking for our understanding of the volume of gas repor [...] |
2008-02-12 14:22:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST148 |
MFA CONFIRMS INTENTION TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO IN THE [...] (C) Summary: DCM delivered reftel demarches to MFA State Secretary (Political Director) Szent-Ivanyi February 12. SIPDIS Szent-Ivanyi confirmed that the GoH is prepared to recognize Kosovo within the first tranche of EU member states, estimating that it could take formal action within 10 ) [...] |
2008-02-12 16:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST155 |
MUSICAL CHAIRS; DISCORDANT VOICES: PARLIAMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: Although it was only opening day, Hungarian MPs ) and protestors - were in mid-season form as the spring session began February 11. The governing coalition reaffirmed its support for PM Gyurcsany's health care reforms amidst heated rhetoric, but talk of a cabinet "pre-shuffle" [...] |
2008-02-14 13:18:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST165 |
HUNGARIAN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ON OSLO PROCESS TO [...] (C) Deputy Security and Non-Proliferation Department Head, Gabor Horvath, discussed reftel with PolOff on February 15. Horvath stated that the Hungarians, based on presentations they received at NATO, have already "mandated" their Ambassador in New Zealand, representing Hungary at the Febru [...] |
2008-02-15 16:33:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | AF MOPS PARM PREL NATO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST183 |
HUNGARY ON MACEDONIA'S NATO ASPIRATIONS AND NAME [...] (C) Marianne Berecz, SE Europe, Western Balkans and CIS Department Head and Gabor Horvath, Deputy Security and Non-Proliferation Department Head, discussed reftel with PolOff on January 15. Ambassador Berecz underlined Hungary's support for the Nimetz process, commenting that Greece's approa [...] |
2008-02-21 06:35:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | NATO PREL GR MK HU MARR |
| 08BUDAPEST194 |
HUNGARY SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION FOR CHANGE IN CUBA [...] No summary [...] |
2008-02-26 09:15:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL HU CU |
| 08BUDAPEST195 |
THE PARTY LINE: WHAT PM GYURCSANY'S SUPPORTERS ARE [...] (C) With his personal popularity ratings still mired well below 20 percent as he nears the half-way point of his term, Prime Minister Gyurcsany appears to be playing small ball in an effort to gradually recoup his standing with the public (REF A). Key elements of his public message will lik [...] |
2008-02-26 09:22:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ENRG KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST21 |
HUNGARIAN SUPPORT FOR ASPIRATIONS OF THE SYRIAN [...] No summary [...] |
2008-01-08 14:20:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMPI PREL HU |
| 08BUDAPEST211 |
HUNGARIAN BLUE LANTERN - LICENSE 05-050085871 [...] Although surprised when contacted about reftel, Magnum Vadasz es Hajos Company Director Akos Szucs willingly discussed the company's operations with PolOff and EmbOff on February 25. Opening the discussion, he commented that the company has been importing Remington and Hornady brand, U.S.-ma [...] |
2008-02-28 10:50:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | KOMC ETTC HU |
| 08BUDAPEST225 |
TRYING TO HEAD NORTH: NEGOTIATING THE POST-SOUTH [...] (C) We are bracing ourselves for another rough patch with the GoH in the aftermath of Prime Minister Gyurcsany's latest trip to Moscow. ACTIONS AND REACTIONS 2. (C) Having secured the EU's acquiescence with Commissioner Piebalgs' tepid public statement of "understanding," the GoH will [...] |
2008-02-29 16:00:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG PGOV KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST245 |
STRONG RHETORIC BUT MILD INTEREST AS REFERENDUM [...] (C) Summary: As voters prepare for this weekend's referendum throughout Hungary's 19 megye (regional districts), opinion leaders on both sides have been escalating their rhetoric. Despite the intensity of their comments, last-minute polling indicates softening turn-out and the general sense [...] |
2008-03-07 07:02:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST258 |
HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON EU'S MARCH 10-11 FOREIGN [...] MFA EU External Relations and Crisis Situations Section Chief Andras Dekany discussed reftel agenda items with PolOff on March 7. Dekany provided the following comments by agenda item: Western Balkans: - Kosovo: Good news that the government in Pristina has shown "sufficient maturity" in [...] |
2008-03-10 13:07:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST261 |
THE NO'S HAVE IT: PUBLIC REFERENDUM REJECTS REFORM [...] (C) Summary: Record turn-out of 50.5 percent and overwhelming majorities voting against 3 elements of the government's reform agenda gave the opposition a clear victory in Hungary's national referendum March 9. With 82 ) 84 percent of respondents expressing opposition to the payment of nomin [...] |
2008-03-10 14:00:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ECON HU |
| 08BUDAPEST267 |
CONFIRMED BUT CAVEATED: HUNGARY PREPARING FOR [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador March 9 (other issues septel), the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor confirmed that the GoH intends to recognize Kosovo on March 19. Ambassador Banai commented, however, that he would have to check with Foreign Minister Goncz regarding her most rec [...] |
2008-03-12 13:55:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST268 |
LONELY NEAR THE TOP: PRIME MINISTER'S FOREIGN [...] No summary [...] |
2008-03-12 13:56:00 | Embassy Budapest | SECRET | PREL PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST269 |
HUNGARY UNAWARE OF MARCH 14 BEIRUT CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-03-13 07:49:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR PREF PREL PTER PARM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST270 |
SQUATTER'S RIGHTS: THE GYURCSANY GOVERNMENT AFTER [...] (C) Summary: The Gyurcsany government is struggling to go on with business as usual in the aftermath of its losses in the March 9 referendum. Unfortunately, business as usual involves an opposition with the political momentum, party members with a personal grudge, and policy initiatives wit [...] |
2008-03-13 08:16:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM ENRG HU |
| 08BUDAPEST28 |
HUNGARIAN REQUEST: HAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT AGAINST [...] (U) This is an action request. 2. (U) MFA Security and Non-Proliferation Deputy Head of Department, Gabor Horvath, requested a meeting with PolOff on 7 January to discuss a UNGA First Committee issue related to the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC). Hor [...] |
2008-01-10 10:39:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | KACT PARM PREL UNGA RU HU |
| 08BUDAPEST307 |
HUNGARY RECOGNIZES KOSOVO [...] (SBU) In a statement released March 19 shortly following a joint declaration of intent with Croatia and Bulgaria, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry announced the GoH's decision to recognize Kosovo. 2. (SBU) The statement: Recognizes that moving forward was necessary for lasting stability [...] |
2008-03-21 09:08:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KO HU |
| 08BUDAPEST317 |
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE: QUESTIONING THE COALITION [...] (C) Strains within ) and between - the MSzP and the junior coalition partner SzDSz are becoming visible as they approach their respective spring meetings. 2. (C) Ironically, Prime Minister Gyurcsany may be the less lame duck despite the results of the March 9 referendum (reftel). Despite [...] |
2008-03-26 10:51:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST339 |
HUNGARY URGED TO WEIGH IN WITH GREECE ON NATO [...] (C) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel points in a three-pronged approach to senior Hungarian Government officials in the Prime Minister's Officer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense on March 31. The Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor, Karoly Banai, advised that, [...] |
2008-04-01 10:13:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL NATO PGOV HU |
| 08BUDAPEST341 |
DANCING ON THE JETTY: HEALTH MINISTER OUT; [...] (C) Summary: Toil and trouble continues within the coalition as the MSzP and the SzDSZ continue to head toward a divorce they may not want but may not be able to avoid. Prime Minister Gyurcsany's decision to dismiss unpopular Health Minister Agnes Horvath of the SzDSz has sparked a confrontat [...] |
2008-04-01 14:08:00 | Embassy Budapest | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST342 |
GROWING HUNGARIAN HORDE FROM THE RIGHT - MAGYAR [...] Repeating their late October 2007 public ceremony (ref A), the far-right, para-military Magyar Garda (Hungarian Guard) initiated 600 new members at Budapest's Heroes' Square on March 29. As the colonnaded statues of the most important historical Hungarian figures over the past 1000 years gaze [...] |
2008-04-01 14:20:00 | Embassy Budapest | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM HU |
| 08BUDAPEST345 |
U.S.-RUSSIA MISSILE DEFENSE NEGOTIATIONS IN [...] (S) SUMMARY: In the fourth round of expert-level meetings in Budapest December 13, U.S. and Russian delegations, led by Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Rood and Deputy Foreign Minister Kislyak, continued to discuss U.S. plans to place a missile [...] |
2008-04-02 12:02:00 | Embassy Budapest | ||